tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60984862610386108092024-03-13T08:26:29.962-07:00Ageless with Aunty...How to Live Well, Have Fun, and Remain Ageless in Any Economy.Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.comBlogger426125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-57340415524985554042022-04-25T05:39:00.002-07:002022-04-27T13:36:34.598-07:00A LOVE BIGGER THAN THE SKY!<p> </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni1sWp73Ap4h-9S4NH2mZCDY_0SC-oS9whj9qUoRr0BjFUkk7kC8PB3vLG6AJ9NLaweIWeWwB0yepn1J6ETjfU0qZH4YWfG0-ejRdFjKEM_W9A_FMEqZebTzGopluaLC78bB5Qs5Qia34e4-1nFnMF0XQdKu0BrhPKp1WJnTCwpqE3P1GG99ocTgy/s2816/IMG_4572.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni1sWp73Ap4h-9S4NH2mZCDY_0SC-oS9whj9qUoRr0BjFUkk7kC8PB3vLG6AJ9NLaweIWeWwB0yepn1J6ETjfU0qZH4YWfG0-ejRdFjKEM_W9A_FMEqZebTzGopluaLC78bB5Qs5Qia34e4-1nFnMF0XQdKu0BrhPKp1WJnTCwpqE3P1GG99ocTgy/w320-h291/IMG_4572.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> Men! We can't live with them, and we can't live without them. </o:p> But there was one man who was so easy to live with, it's really hard to live without him! This is a man who was so perfectly wonderful that I
never wanted to leave him, not even for a second. And I never did. He never
left me either. Every single day of my life he was right by my side. I am
talking about the man who raised me since birth with selfless love, along with
his wife “Aunty," my late great Uncle Domenic. Uncle D!</p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eDcjS8TIg4JCRW1Oh1KZgfuO8a7fxTBoaIY6vb4QSxtsoEbtpjCB4l-_fDe6j3NSDwsgpBmKVOOk-VPBVrumX71poefisiJdPxchTPYzZt_6xhXehd-DhqjZG14A4sqPzIZqDfEIMVi2v_EENKFDHnBKkzmSut4FZHM3bqXFOHibzcFcOdpRE7OH/s2816/IMG_4579.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="2816" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5eDcjS8TIg4JCRW1Oh1KZgfuO8a7fxTBoaIY6vb4QSxtsoEbtpjCB4l-_fDe6j3NSDwsgpBmKVOOk-VPBVrumX71poefisiJdPxchTPYzZt_6xhXehd-DhqjZG14A4sqPzIZqDfEIMVi2v_EENKFDHnBKkzmSut4FZHM3bqXFOHibzcFcOdpRE7OH/w320-h263/IMG_4579.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p>Today marks the 18 year
anniversary of his passing. Born May 17, 1919 and passed April 25, 2004. He was
88 years old when he crossed over, with his entire family by his side. This was
a man who brought me blue-popsicles the color of the sky that miraculously never
melted. My love for him is bigger than that sky! </p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">He bought me EVERYTHING, including
shoes, and clothes, and countless Barbie Dolls, and two Easy Bake Ovens. Uncle
D loved music so much, he sang in a group, the Roman Rambles, when he was
young. He also was an ace at playing the spoons. He gave me a juke-box full of
music when I was only five, and took me to see the Beatles when I was eight! This is a man who was so loving and caring, a big
hearted sentimental guy who was so loved and appreciated in his community, that
they put a sign in his name to honor him at the end of his street. The street that
I lived on with Aunty and Uncle D, for most of my life - Thorndike St. Uncle D was born on 52 Thorndike Street in
Revere, and never left. With the exception of my wedding and his honeymoon, he slept
at home, on Thorndike Street, every night of his long life! <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Ever since his passing I have said,
Uncle D, you will always be with me. On my part, and his, a love this pure and
real can never ever die. Thankfully its eternal and I am still comforted by it.
I really am. They raised me with the love of Christ, The generosity of Santa Claus,
and the Compassion of Buddha. (That is a wholehearted line from my upcoming, at
some point, book.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Thank you Aunty and Uncle D….My
angels in the popsicle-blue sky watching over me today, tomorrow, and forever
more….along with my mothers love and compassion, you are the best part of me.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Today is also the birthday of my
Godfather and late Uncle Bob. “Uncle” was so well loved by all. And he made me
feel extra special, always having an interest in what I was doing, and always and
forever teasing me about something. Uncle took us all for rides and to the Drive-in
with his cool red convertible. And whenever we visited him he gave us candy,
dimes, and played Dionne Warrick. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I love you Unk….and I will write
more about you soon. Happy Birthday. Like one of your favorite songs, <i>I will
say a little prayer for you! </i>And like the rest of my family, Uncle D loved
Uncle Bob too! They had a close bond. Uncle D was always there and watching out
for him, watching out for all of us! Amen.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">Dear Uncles, you will never be
forgotten. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><p>
</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-34014810652098709762021-07-25T14:39:00.002-07:002021-07-25T14:39:20.706-07:00KEEPING LOVE ALIVE....<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbv9-KAov4k/YP3YyI7y_RI/AAAAAAAADts/DIo4p8nvrr8oNeYRXtUJ_D6FidnVHYs8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s368/full%2Borange%2Bmoon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="236" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fbv9-KAov4k/YP3YyI7y_RI/AAAAAAAADts/DIo4p8nvrr8oNeYRXtUJ_D6FidnVHYs8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/full%2Borange%2Bmoon.jpg" /></a></div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4i1fcYK0Bo/YP3ZrAenR0I/AAAAAAAADt0/yiirKtlJDQkHz3ogo8wji8mSptLHThMFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s288/LANTERSN%2BUP%2BTO%2BTHE%2BSKY.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="175" data-original-width="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b4i1fcYK0Bo/YP3ZrAenR0I/AAAAAAAADt0/yiirKtlJDQkHz3ogo8wji8mSptLHThMFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/LANTERSN%2BUP%2BTO%2BTHE%2BSKY.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="" dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="ecm0bbzt hv4rvrfc ihqw7lf3 dati1w0a" data-ad-comet-preview="message" data-ad-preview="message" id="jsc_c_qe" style="font-family: inherit; padding: 4px 16px 16px;"><div class="j83agx80 cbu4d94t ew0dbk1b irj2b8pg" style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: -5px; margin-top: -5px;"><div class="qzhwtbm6 knvmm38d" style="font-family: inherit; margin-bottom: 5px; margin-top: 5px;"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh oo9gr5id hzawbc8m" dir="auto" style="color: var(--primary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: var(--primary-text); font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem;">Last night was an incredible summer night!</span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I gathered together on a beach at sunset with about thirty others.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The family of my late Godson Sean wanted to pay tribute to him on his birthday.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">They have done the most amazing job of keeping his memory alive.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">It’s quite touching. They all continue to do FB tributes, they host events, and they write poems, and they wear his shirts, and his rubber band bracelet.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">His grandmother Barbara told me she wont ever take it off!!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">The main reason we had come together was to send lanterns up to the sky for Sean…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There is so much love for this young man it’s incredible. I know he feels it wherever he is.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Well, we tried and tried and tried to no avail. Finally his very determined brother in law Danny managed to send one lantern up.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We were all so excited and I screamed “Happy Birthday Sean we LOVE YOU!!!!” It was a moment indeed.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Danny, still determined, eventually got another one to ascend up and into the big night sky.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Another Yahoo and “We love you Sean!!!” It was really cool.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">We thought the night was over and we started to gather our things. Well, now this is the most incredible part.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So help me God this is how it actually happened…</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Someone came running from the beach and yelled to those of us headed away, “You have to see this!!!” We all started running back, and those still there just turned around.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Then all I heard was “OH MY GOD,” and about ten loud and awestruck WOWS….</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">There on the water was the MOST AMAZING AND MOST MAGNFICENT AND MOST INCREDIBLE FULL MOON!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">AND IT WAS AN ORANGE MOON. I WAS STANDING next to Seans’ little daughter Abigail (he also has a son Sean jr. pictured here) and since she was born on Halloween</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">her late father’s symbol to her was a big pumpkin, I had to assure her “Your dad is here and he is giving you the moon.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">He loves you and all of us so much he just had to be here!!!” The moon was smiling and so bright like I had not ever seen. It looked just like a big orange pumpkin.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I was deeply moved. WE all stood there in awe for several minutes. Truth be told, I can not even describe it. And any pictures that we took or that I can find online DOES NOT DO IT JUSTICE. It was simply one of those YOU HAD TO BE THERE moments. I am doing the best I can to share it with you.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I know Sean’s parents felt enormous and incredible love. His mom was moved to tears and his father was speechless. We all believed it was Sean wanting to join us and assure us he is happy and watching over us.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I always believed this anyway. And I know we will all remember this night and this moon forever.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">Shortly after he passed, January 7th, 2019, leaving his home after visiting the family, when I got back into my car the loveliest and most soothing Celtic music was playing. (Sean is Irish)</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I had on a different station that doesn’t play Celtic music. The music sounded angelic and like Sean was dancing and smiling in heaven.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I say this because that is exactly what he is doing…and he’s laughing too. He loves us and we love him…and LOVE like this does the most Magical Things!</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And the best part of all….IT NEVER DIES!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">When you are loved, cherished and celebrated as much as Sean, you can dance, smile and be happy from wherever you are.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">So, AS I ALWAYS SAY, LET’S CELEBRATE AND REMEMBER AND PAY TRIBUTE TO OUR DEPARTED LOVED ONES. THEY APPRECIATE IT AS MUCH AS WE GET COMFORT FROM IT.</div><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">And, then maybe one day when we cross over we will be so well remembered! I think this is the most beautiful thing. We are literally keeping love alive…</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">If you are not able to get 30 people on a beach, you can simply talk to your departed loved ones. Light candles before their pictures, frame their pictures, visit their graves, celebrate their birthday, read their favorite books, and be sure to share their legacy and their stories with the children and young people in the family.</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">I lovingly and consistently practice all of the above for Ming and for Aunty and Uncle D. and other precious loved ones of mine who have changed form (and I do this alone), but I am now reaching out to my family and asking them to join me Sunday evening September 5th lanterns on our beach for our Ming and Monday March 7th for our Aunty H. (a birthday party)! Will you join me? I can assure you, it's GOOD KARMA!</div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="font-family: inherit; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div dir="auto" style="font-family: inherit;">photo on left courtesy Pinterest</div></div></span></div></div></div></div><div class="l9j0dhe7" id="jsc_c_qf" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div style="font-family: inherit;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; position: relative;"><div class="l9j0dhe7" style="font-family: inherit; padding-top: 680px; position: relative;"><div class="ni8dbmo4 stjgntxs pmk7jnqg" style="font-family: inherit; inset: calc(0% + 0px) calc(50% + 1.01px) calc(0% + 0px) calc(0% + 0px); overflow: hidden; position: absolute;"><a aria-label="May be an image of sky, nature and body of water" class="oajrlxb2 gs1a9yip g5ia77u1 mtkw9kbi tlpljxtp qensuy8j ppp5ayq2 goun2846 ccm00jje s44p3ltw mk2mc5f4 rt8b4zig n8ej3o3l agehan2d sk4xxmp2 rq0escxv nhd2j8a9 q9uorilb mg4g778l btwxx1t3 pfnyh3mw p7hjln8o kvgmc6g5 cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x tgvbjcpo hpfvmrgz jb3vyjys rz4wbd8a qt6c0cv9 a8nywdso pmk7jnqg i1ao9s8h esuyzwwr f1sip0of du4w35lb lzcic4wl abiwlrkh p8dawk7l i09qtzwb n7fi1qx3 j9ispegn kr520xx4 tm8avpzi" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4195245230510905&set=pcb.4195249833843778&__cft__[0]=AZX-au5v7O2Q_OhAz4Oc_wFuVL3g5dc4fRgwwf9zMm-Jya0FTK4SkhszlweFSjBtj4lkpd5mv3cvyedk1DtG8CEil-dtvTalWEekL7zUOrx5hyLUguGafve_LPD0IYYrljq8TwUuEvLoTl-Dqz7ABGEHjKS9w61Aa2BA61C5QdsJhYGNwRDhBE3gMCpXAsJG0y8&__tn__=*bH-R" role="link" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; 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margin: 0px; min-height: 0px; min-width: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; position: relative; text-align: inherit; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: none; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="d2edcug0 hpfvmrgz qv66sw1b c1et5uql lr9zc1uh a8c37x1j keod5gw0 nxhoafnm aigsh9s9 d3f4x2em fe6kdd0r mau55g9w c8b282yb iv3no6db jq4qci2q a3bd9o3v knj5qynh m9osqain" dir="auto" style="color: var(--secondary-text); display: block; font-family: inherit; font-size: 0.9375rem; line-height: 1.3333; max-width: 100%; min-width: 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; word-break: break-word;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-83135709605129817522021-05-08T12:40:00.005-07:002021-05-08T12:47:03.674-07:00MANSIONS, CASTLES, KITES, AND MORE.....<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-01b3mwye8/YJbgd-BjGQI/AAAAAAAADpk/FJXbF6O-OAgVz4rdIzIiTyBdFDZOzB-igCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/birthday%2B2021%2Broses%2Band%2Bballons.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1455" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i-01b3mwye8/YJbgd-BjGQI/AAAAAAAADpk/FJXbF6O-OAgVz4rdIzIiTyBdFDZOzB-igCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/birthday%2B2021%2Broses%2Band%2Bballons.jpg" /></a></div> <br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I am trying to think of the words to describe
my recent birthday this past Monday May 3</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">.</span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The best
one that comes to mind is INCREDIBLE! I am so happy and feel extra blessed this
year.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4NDqlRctRs/YJbiEqEOloI/AAAAAAAADps/VdnVWOHiBuwBc_gZvXF6_Xk5fOj0vqWVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s259/casttle%2Bhill%2Bchairs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="259" data-original-width="194" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c4NDqlRctRs/YJbiEqEOloI/AAAAAAAADps/VdnVWOHiBuwBc_gZvXF6_Xk5fOj0vqWVwCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/casttle%2Bhill%2Bchairs.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lawn at Castle Hill</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Last
year, due to the pandemic, I spent my birthday alone (with the exception of a
walk with a close friend and a brief family zoom call), and oh yes, a great big
sky blue birthday cake!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">This
year, I knew I really wanted to celebrate. Luckily my awesome sister Pam threw
me a little family party. After a year of social distancing, I was going to be
with the people I love and my favorite songs too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was a
celebration of staying young with a song in my heart!!! Many songs. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I gave
Pam my playlist of 140 of my favorite songs with things like This must be the
place (Talking Heads) In the Bottle (Gil Scott Heron) to Rock Steady by Aretha
Franklin and so many more. There were some obscure songs like Sexy Coffee Pot
(I still don’t know the artist) and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Take
me Back to Tulsa (Bob Wills).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yOk65X87O4/YJbk7sFq70I/AAAAAAAADqM/N4QqPap0q0kwBBNIkkyJd4LkCX9g6GskQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/renee%2Bbirthday%2B2021%2Bw%2BPam.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1910" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9yOk65X87O4/YJbk7sFq70I/AAAAAAAADqM/N4QqPap0q0kwBBNIkkyJd4LkCX9g6GskQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/renee%2Bbirthday%2B2021%2Bw%2BPam.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><p></p><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p></p></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote></blockquote><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">I was
excited to see that Quest Love used some of the songs I had on my list when he
hosted the Oscars last Sunday! I may change my name to Renee LOVE.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Right
before the party, on Saturday, I received a box full of gifts from two Facebook
Friends (and friends from my youth)!!!! Yes, I did. Jo and Richie God Bless you
and THANK YOU!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I got
two awesome pair of MO Sunglasses and all kinds of fabulous incense and beauty
products. Even a little heart pin that says KIND! They are exceptionally kind.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HjSu4TjGMc/YJblKltad1I/AAAAAAAADqQ/SGerDtqSV3AHA7K0RdQ3rng1LrqT0l72QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Renee%2Bbirthday%2B2021%2Bw%2Bmo%2Bglasses.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HjSu4TjGMc/YJblKltad1I/AAAAAAAADqQ/SGerDtqSV3AHA7K0RdQ3rng1LrqT0l72QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Renee%2Bbirthday%2B2021%2Bw%2Bmo%2Bglasses.jpg" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was so
delighted. What a treat!!! Then I received a card from Ming’s brother with all
these great photos of Ming and I. It was precious and appreciated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">At my
party we drank Casamigos Tequila with organic watermelon juice and it was TOO
GOOD. I called it the Funky Nassau (another great song we played).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">We
danced and sang along all night and I was in my glee!!!! My baby sister Lauren
made me a homemade cake (the best kind) and I got some groovy gifts.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was
happy that my sister Val kept saying she loved every song that played. I think
everyone did. It was a super fab play list! There were the Funky Meters to
Tommy Dorsey and a dose of Dave Matthews and Steve Miller! We even had some
Duke and the Drivers and can’t forget Paul Simon!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With
each song I got a natural high. Later we sat around the fire and the music
continued while the tequila poured…Shattered by the Stones, Sweet Jane, Lou
Reed, and the Band, Baby Don’t you do it!!! They never sounded better. Looks
like I will never lose my affinity for Classic Rock.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4z8ND49UNc/YJbihuW358I/AAAAAAAADp4/7j_NsnlAN_oHEwO2JXNt5s1-e-fqr7Z6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/tequila%2Band%2Bwatermelon%2Bon%2Bmy%2B29th%2Bbirthday%2B2021.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f4z8ND49UNc/YJbihuW358I/AAAAAAAADp4/7j_NsnlAN_oHEwO2JXNt5s1-e-fqr7Z6ACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/tequila%2Band%2Bwatermelon%2Bon%2Bmy%2B29th%2Bbirthday%2B2021.jpg" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">The next
morning I had brunch with my family since several of us slept over my sisters.
The very best part was we are all fully vaccinated (expect my mother). I could
be close to them again.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">With a
birthday crown on my head (my mother always gets me a little crown on my big
day) I opened more gifts surrounded by my sisters, oodles of balloons, and a
dozen roses from a friend. The most beautiful roses I have ever received.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flH890-j9vw/YJblWa_cWMI/AAAAAAAADqY/wbhFnUSz-koikuUCLcLwXX5PN2kaVmmXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/rosese%2Bfor%2Bmy%2B2021%2Bbirthday%2Bfrom%2BRose%2Band%2BWalter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1864" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-flH890-j9vw/YJblWa_cWMI/AAAAAAAADqY/wbhFnUSz-koikuUCLcLwXX5PN2kaVmmXwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/rosese%2Bfor%2Bmy%2B2021%2Bbirthday%2Bfrom%2BRose%2Band%2BWalter.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">That
day, Sunday, I rested later and got ready for my actual birthday on the third.
The next morning, Monday May 3</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">rd</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">, I received so many phone calls
(texts are great but there is nothing like a phone call on your birthday)! I
was really pleased. My sister Juliann called from LA and even my old college
roommate called! Later, I even got a text from my old boyfriend.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">My
friends picked me up and three of us headed to Newport Rhode Island. Many of
you know Newport is one of my favorite places.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">We went directly to the Breakers Mansion (Summer home of the
Vanderbilt’s). Wow!!!! That is the best word to describe that mega mansion. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ7ZDY_iHc0/YJbpHOBj6BI/AAAAAAAADrM/xsNKJZrjscMwVoWuyD7Bdqr7ibK8U0h4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/renee%2Bbrithday%2B2021%2B%2540breakers%2Bmansion.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PQ7ZDY_iHc0/YJbpHOBj6BI/AAAAAAAADrM/xsNKJZrjscMwVoWuyD7Bdqr7ibK8U0h4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/renee%2Bbrithday%2B2021%2B%2540breakers%2Bmansion.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">One
area in that home that I particularly am drawn to is the (semi-outdoor sitting
area) they called the Upper Loggia. I was swooning. You can see what looked
like the entire Atlantic Ocean with the cliff walk running along the edge of
the property. Its staggeringly stunning and way beyond over the top. My kind of
place.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t13OQkF3Pd0/YJbirA4jBkI/AAAAAAAADqA/NPqGYJi9GToCL-jAkzfBfmo38vg3PgCeACLcBGAsYHQ/s259/breakers%2Bmansion%2Bmorning%2Broom.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-t13OQkF3Pd0/YJbirA4jBkI/AAAAAAAADqA/NPqGYJi9GToCL-jAkzfBfmo38vg3PgCeACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/breakers%2Bmansion%2Bmorning%2Broom.jpg" /></a></div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">From
there we drove down Bellevue Avenue and Ocean Drive over to Castle Hill
(another favorite place of mine). That property is swanky and first-class. We
had lunch and just took our sweet time taking it all in. The view is the
Atlantic Ocean and many boats sailing by.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The
enormous green lawn is immaculate with white Adirondack chairs perfectly
placed. One can sit and sip while watching the ships sail. Ahh…..While we were
sitting there I didn’t think the day could get any better and just then I got a
little video sent to me of three little children that I adore and am close
with. I could see and feel their love for me as they were singing happy
birthday. It was so sweet and touching. Then right after that, a loving call
from Ming’s family. I was just so touched yet again. I truly was.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvD-RXxiN_I/YJblhZ4KjJI/AAAAAAAADqg/oaaFzFqRD_8nZ5TN0orr2GResNuMYn22QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Renee%2BBirthday%2B2021%2BHelen%2BCake.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CvD-RXxiN_I/YJblhZ4KjJI/AAAAAAAADqg/oaaFzFqRD_8nZ5TN0orr2GResNuMYn22QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Renee%2BBirthday%2B2021%2BHelen%2BCake.jpg" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For
dessert my friend snuck in a pretty cake filled with sparkles and candy hidden
inside. My other friend made me a handmade book of Friendship Quotes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One saying: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Friendship doubles our joy and divides our grief. </i>Indeed it does<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">. </i>I would be lost without my friends.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> <o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">After
the luncheon and prancing around Castle Hill, one of my favorite things ever
is….Flying a Kite!!!! I honestly don’t remember the last time I’ve done this.
But, right next to Castle Hill is a well-known kite-flying area, Brenton Point.
Another WOW! My kite was super cool…it had a big red heart and an extra-long
tail. I loved watching it soaring high overhead. What a great way to keep
feeling young. Just fly a freaking kite! It was exhilarating. And flying one on
your birthday in such a posh area was even better (lol).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">Driving
home I received a text with a picture of Aunty’s great great granddaughter
Rosie. I was glad to be remembered. I can’t
wait to see her in person.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ5CSyYUECk/YJbnznO2gTI/AAAAAAAADq8/F_C2UnL41zcfstxQn0biYElA4D5JL6MCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Rosie%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B8-2020.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1453" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VQ5CSyYUECk/YJbnznO2gTI/AAAAAAAADq8/F_C2UnL41zcfstxQn0biYElA4D5JL6MCwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Rosie%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bgarden%2B8-2020.jpeg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;">And
throughout the day I got Face Book messages and texts saying Happy Birthday
Renee! It made me feel really good.</span><span style="font-size: 16pt; text-align: left;"> </span></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGPlfmQpbdk/YJbmynEQgcI/AAAAAAAADqs/D5U3Z6hyyQEYqp9nViu07wJSfxNVwweoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/emilia%2Bwiht%2Bhearts%2Badn%2Ba%2Bsmile.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1923" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AGPlfmQpbdk/YJbmynEQgcI/AAAAAAAADqs/D5U3Z6hyyQEYqp9nViu07wJSfxNVwweoQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/emilia%2Bwiht%2Bhearts%2Badn%2Ba%2Bsmile.jpg" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">I share
all this because like many of you, I had a rough year. It’s particularly tough
when you live alone and don’t have children of your own. Staying connected with
friends and family means the world to me! And to celebrate in this way, out and
about again, was simply wonderful. That is why I share this LONG OVER DUE Joy
in my heart. It felt good to feel good again.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlxdtQhNTXw/YJboWr-ZtyI/AAAAAAAADrE/9_zGTzzt4U8SEi9SdedvzoZzi_gZIb4jgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20210505_155521.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1774" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tlxdtQhNTXw/YJboWr-ZtyI/AAAAAAAADrE/9_zGTzzt4U8SEi9SdedvzoZzi_gZIb4jgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20210505_155521.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 16pt;">When I
arrived home….well, I got teary eyed…not because the day was over, but because
four different neighbors left great gifts by my door! And one was the most
gorgeous bouquet from Winston Flowers (my ultra-favorite florist). I had to
make a few trips to carry everything in….books, jewelry and gadgets and more
cards.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiFu4UmwKA0/YJbqrKJYAnI/AAAAAAAADrU/7uqOcoMaYH8SIi1mTGADv5m_pALipUytwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/flowers%2Bfrom%2Bdaruius%2Bmy%2B2021%2Bbirthday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1691" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qiFu4UmwKA0/YJbqrKJYAnI/AAAAAAAADrU/7uqOcoMaYH8SIi1mTGADv5m_pALipUytwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/flowers%2Bfrom%2Bdaruius%2Bmy%2B2021%2Bbirthday.jpg" /></a></div></span><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And when
I got inside I sat down to admire all my cards and those gorgeous pink
perfectly blooming roses. I feel like a flower in bloom. It’s amazing what love
can do. I feel the love from all the cards, gifts, texts, presents, calls that
I received. And well, I just feel so blessed. I am grateful. And a special
thanks to my sister Pam who made much of this possible and to my mom who always
shows up with lots of presents!!!! She is the ultimate gift-giver! And to
everyone who was part of my ageless birthday celebration. With birthday
celebrations and friends and family like you…well, This Renee Gold will not
ever get old! I love you and I Thank you one and all….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-13026924512187605652021-03-22T12:51:00.004-07:002021-03-23T16:04:55.358-07:00TO IMMUNITY AND BEYOND!!!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6gDtWvYLCM/YFjzfsqfLwI/AAAAAAAADpA/wkjq5MIsxZkTxn77NU8u4uYX1iScpu83QCLcBGAsYHQ/s1808/vaccine%2Bpeace%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1096" data-original-width="1808" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M6gDtWvYLCM/YFjzfsqfLwI/AAAAAAAADpA/wkjq5MIsxZkTxn77NU8u4uYX1iScpu83QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/vaccine%2Bpeace%2Bsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">Getting the Covid Vaccine Shot this Morning</span></p><p>Dear Ageless with Aunty Followers...</p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I want to share this most happy and monumental
day with you!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Today, March 22, 2021, I got my first dose of
the Covid Vaccine.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I may not look it, but I feel like a billion trillion
bucks! I was so happy I cried.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This morning I woke up and I was so excited. I rolled
out of bed, brushed my teeth and washed my face and went directly to the Hynes Auditorium
in my favorite city…Boston!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It was a glorious day. It felt so amazing to be
so lucky as to get this vaccine. As far as I’m concerned it’s a holiday! It’s a
blessing. It’s a miracle.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I feel so glad to live in America where this is
possible. I am so grateful to everyone who made this possible. Everything went
smoothly and they even include free parking.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And now I want to share with anyone who is on
the fence about getting vaccinated.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">First of all, it doesn’t hurt one bit. I didn’t
even know she administered it. Second, you will have TRMENDOUS PEACE OF MIND.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I was walking on air when I left. I floated out
of there. Just imagine, once you are fully vaccinated you don’t ever have to
worry about dying from Covid.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">It’s just not a way you want to exit this
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If we want to face facts it
really is the right thing to do for ALL INVOLVED.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Imagine for a moment if everyone gets
vaccinated, well, let’s face the fact: THE VIRUS WOULD HAVE NO PLACE TO GO!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">So, those who don’t want to get vaccinated may be keeping the virus alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is NOT to guilt
trip anyone. I am not like that.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I say this with great love and compassion, the
way I say and share everything I do. I say this for you! I care about people that
is exactly where I come from on this. Thank you for understanding.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Free yourself from any worry, fear or
hesitation. It’s a most incredible and historic moment. You are giving yourself
life and lessening the worry of contacting covid.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">One of my dearest and closest friends NEVER
EVER got a vaccine in her life. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Even she
got the vaccine today</i>! She said “It gives me hope!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">My other good friend said, “It’s a lifesaver!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I agree. So, my friends….start booking your
appointment today. And tell them Renee sent you. I promise it will be one of
the best things you will ever do.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And your family who loves you so much, they won’t
have to worry about you dying or getting deathly sick from this horrible
disease. You may even be helping to stop the spread.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This post is dedicated to my mother. Because I love
her with all my heart, I am asking her to please get vaccinated so I can have
some peace of mind knowing that if she were to contact the covid she will be
highly protected.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If she won’t do it for herself I pray she will
do it for her daughters.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And everyone
else out there who is hesitant. DO IT FOR YOUR FAMILY, DO IT FOR YOURSELF AND
DO IT FOR OUR PRECIOUS WORLD!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Perhaps once she and others who are hesitant
see how easy it is maybe more and more will opt in for this lifesaving vaccine.
We are so lucky to have access to this.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Four weeks from today I can start fully living again…concerts,
ball games, bb’ques, family gatherings, being with close friends, traveling, and
I can hug and kiss all those I love! Whew…HOW AMAZING IS THAT! It’s been so
long I might not let go.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">For me, I am declaring <span style="color: red;">today
March 22, 2021 </span>a Holiday and <span style="color: red;">April 26<sup>th</sup>
</span>(the day I will officially be 100 per cent protected from getting really
sick from Covid)! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Make your vaccine appointment
soon and you can have your own holidays too…. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Believe me, that’s what it will feel like once you know you are fully
protected! And you can smile knowing you did<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>your part to help stop this pandemic.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Love,
Renee</span></b></p><br /><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-23845942080475187302021-01-15T10:22:00.001-08:002021-01-15T10:22:43.279-08:00THERE IS NO OTHER WAY!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_4IV4B_7Ek/YAHYaNL6JuI/AAAAAAAADoM/D8Ep_4Ed9ZYI8V7pqoHyBpgNtOhgCxgQwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="288" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h_4IV4B_7Ek/YAHYaNL6JuI/AAAAAAAADoM/D8Ep_4Ed9ZYI8V7pqoHyBpgNtOhgCxgQwCLcBGAsYHQ/w384-h288/IMG_3467.JPG" width="384" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Picture taken before Pandemic</div><div style="text-align: center;">I feel like that little boy standing next to me is saying to all of us, please read what Renee is saying here. Do it for me, for my mother, my neighbor, my grandfather....for all human beings.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In light of the raging Pandemic AND the Crisis in our country, I am asking everyone to put on their thinking
caps! I AM REACHING OUT AND ASKING YOU TO REALLY PAUSE AND TO LISTEN. I have
figured out a way we can more forward….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The Media always wants to give us something to
be afraid about!!! Yes, things are horrible, and truly out of control.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Yet, the Media doesn’t help matters at all…they
only become (or have become) part of the problem at this point.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">What are we to do?!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">If there is no good scary "developing" story they are out of
jobs or people change the station. We are all to blame, Yet, where is the
solution and how do we get there?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">In my wildest imagination, and I do have a wild imagination, I couldn’t
have ever imagined all this, that we as Americans, and people of this world, are
all dealing with.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am also deeply and profoundly saddened
that so many people just don’t take the pandemic seriously enough and quite frankly
are selfish. They think the rules don’t apply to them, or that their rights are
being taken away.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">This is the most unsettling reality. I mean, people are selfish. There are many making
sacrifices, but unless or until EVERYONE gets on the same team here the Virus
will keep winning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Please let your younger children know this too.
EVERYONE’S ACTIONS affect everyone else when there is a raging pandemic period,
even if you try to rationalize your behavior. Deep down most humans know the
right thing to do. I can not think of a better time to start doing it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And even now, with this riot on our sacred
capitol all over the big lie (</span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">which we
know by now our 2020 election was the most accurate and fair election in
history. This has been verified three times!</b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">). Yet, even with death and destruction
there are people who still voted against confirming the election results!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">How sad is all this? Well, obviously very.
Yet, as the eternal optimist, even in this darkest hour I do believe things will get better.
But how….</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">To answer my own question I will tell you what
I am going to do. I AM GOING TO WATCH MUCH LESS NEWS PERIOD. I will consciously
choose fair, accurate and HONEST sources to get my news and LIMIT IT!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I will spend that time that I would have
normally spent watching the news on reading up on American History, Writing my
own book (s), learning an instrument, talking to friends and staying connected,
taking walks, and paying attention to the world around me WITH A BIG OPEN HEART
AND A GOOD EAR. I will respect my fellow humans and my fellow Americans. It
does start with us even if we don’t want to face that fact.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">One way we can make things better is by better
listening. JUST SAY FOR ONE MOMENT, ONE TIME, MAYBE THAT OTHER PERSON HAS A
POINT TO MAKE, and then REALLY LISTEN. TALK IT OUT…Respect, remember that word!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There are ways we can slowly improve. WE are
human beings with enormous capacity for soaring and evolving…..above and beyond
anything! <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">And keep in mind there can be
no healing or moving forward without the truth. That is a rule of life…None of
us can escape that no matter how hard we try. We all have to see the truth even if it hurts.<o:p></o:p></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And as for the pandemic, I will continue to
social distance, wash hands, always wear a mask, and even if I upset or annoy
people I am going to state facts that I know undoubtedly to be true…and I hope
and pray that more and more people (even or especially those who like to fight
or always be contrary) will eventually come to see the TRUTH!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And get vaccinated as well. WE ALL NEED TO
GET VACCINATED. IT IS THE ONLY WAY TO BEAT THIS PANDEMIC. AND WHAT PRAY TELL IS
POLITCAL ABOUT THAT? I WILL TELL YOU, ZIP, ZERO, NOTHING. IT’S called
doing the right thing and not being selfish anymore. I am sure most people don’t
want a needle placed into their arm (even for a moment or two) BUT, if it will
save lives including our own, or our family, or that older woman in another
state (the one with five children, eight grandchildren, and is a retired school
teacher)! Not to mention the little boy above in the picture with me. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">THE TIME HAS TRULY COME TO START CARING
ACTUALLY CARING ABOUT OTHERS AND NOW with THIS PANDEMIC AND THE STATE OF OUR
COUNTRY WE HAVE THAT OPPORTUNITY TO DO SO…IT’S CLEAR. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Let’s teach our children and our grandchildren
this too. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">ONLY WE CAN MAKE THE FUTURE BRIGHTER IF WE START RIGHT NOW IN THIS
PRESENT MOMENT. OUR power is in this moment and how we decide to carry on. Will
you do the right and fair thing for your fellow man?</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> At this moment in history, our actions can actually help doctors and nurses and hospitals from being </span>overwhelmed<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, and good hard working people from dying alone! </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And the good news is, when you do the right
thing that karma and good energy comes back to you!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, please stay home, wear a mask if you must
go out, wash your hands, get vaccinated as soon as you can and limit your news
to HONEST and ACCURATE NEWS. NO more conspiracy theories. AS YOU CAN CLEARY SEE
NOW, NO one wins with those. NO one! At this point I don't think we need more proof on that.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I wholeheartedly believe that if most of
us follow what I am saying here (and try with patience and love to help bring the light to those still refusing to see the truth and actual facts) THINGS WILL GET BETTER. THERE IS NO OTHER WAY.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Thanks so much for listening. I feel very
strongly about what I say here and I truly appreciate your time and interest to
start making things better in our country…and ultimately the world since we are
all connected!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Amen….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-22667279084396980812020-12-07T07:50:00.000-08:002020-12-07T07:50:32.305-08:00DON'T EVER LOSE YOUR SENSE OF WONDER!<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"> </p></blockquote><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sNquqRgj-Y/X85LGfDto3I/AAAAAAAADmw/e8A3_2kFy48yKd2l0IF6BJWJM4C-oZVlACLcBGAsYHQ/s254/childlike%2Bjoy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="198" height="292" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--sNquqRgj-Y/X85LGfDto3I/AAAAAAAADmw/e8A3_2kFy48yKd2l0IF6BJWJM4C-oZVlACLcBGAsYHQ/w228-h292/childlike%2Bjoy.jpg" width="228" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Can
you meet a person for a fleeting moment and fall in love with them?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
believe the answer is YES!!! Absolutely. It happened to me last night.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
have some dear dear friends who love to celebrate Christmas with me. We have traditions
and holiday rituals that mean a great deal to me.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Last
night we went to the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Festival of Trees</i>
at Elm Bank Reservation. It is an annual gift from one of my friends.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">This
wonderful event is so cozy that I just swoon when I think of it. Once on the
reservation you have to drive up a long and windy road aligned with woodlands
and trees. With some snow still on the ground it was heavenly and truly serene
simply driving to get there. And since I was playing Christmas Carols in the car
I was in the mood for a little celebration. I parked and met my friends.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6VR3rt7Iu8/X85OAuoMeFI/AAAAAAAADnc/1TZiOc-usuQzuwgYzk-zAf0_yn5pZMDnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s600/festival%2Bof%2Btrees%2Belm%2Bbank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="412" data-original-width="600" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N6VR3rt7Iu8/X85OAuoMeFI/AAAAAAAADnc/1TZiOc-usuQzuwgYzk-zAf0_yn5pZMDnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/festival%2Bof%2Btrees%2Belm%2Bbank.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">From Elm Bank Website</span></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Once
you give your ticket they give you some hot chocolate and you wait for the rest
of your small group to gather. Given the cold air and all the colored Christmas
lights in the gardens, I was already enjoying myself before we even entered the
gates.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
event is inside and out, and with masks and very small groups it was safe and a
lot of fun.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There
were two large rooms filled with adorned Christmas trees This alone is exciting
for those of us who can’t get enough Christmas.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">(my last blog post was about my family’s love for Christmas and
Christmas trees) www.reneegold.com</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuloMwccAII/X85MkWnpR5I/AAAAAAAADnE/sKcNI4ZjdEEbTxgzqGEO1cjVoYjG2UQAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20181222_225039_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zuloMwccAII/X85MkWnpR5I/AAAAAAAADnE/sKcNI4ZjdEEbTxgzqGEO1cjVoYjG2UQAwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20181222_225039_resized.jpg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">They
are all extremely well decorated with themes from money on trees, cook books on
trees, teddy bears, and even a Charlie Brown Tree! You can even enter the
raffle (which we did) to win one of them.</span><p></p>
<h4 style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt;"><span style="color: #333333; font-weight: normal;">The
following is from their website: <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Tree
sizes vary from one foot to nine feet in height and some have gifts in
addition to the decorations.<o:p></o:p></i></span></h4>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Another and totally
different experience is provided by Snow Village, an indoor exhibit occupying a
whole room. This large display features model trains wending their
way through villages and vignettes, including Christmas in the City
(Boston of course!), Fenway Park, a Dickensian village, the North Pole and
hundreds of decorated houses and lights. There are too many Santa’s
to count as well as skaters galore. This is a visual treat for young
and old alike and each year it is a little different.<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visitors can keep warm
and cozy melting S’mores at the fire pit. This is all so Christmassy.
<o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet as wonderful as this all is, and was, turns out for me this
is not the most magical part. The reason I am writing this post is what
happened when we were leaving.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Of course I was feeling immersed with Christmas Magic and in the
best mood. I was surrounded by holiday merriment, Christmas trees, and close friends.
…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So as we were walking out of the gardens, as I passed the exit
gate, I could see in the near distance the happiest little girl in the whole
wide world! Really and truly. I am not exaggerating at all.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">She was bundled up with a snow suit. She had a round face with
dark brown hair and all she did was <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">beam
with joy</b>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Truth be told, there
really are no words to describe her but I am trying. She was calling me and
looking directly at me. I almost fainted because…..it was me!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfcM9dCG3E/X85OzxRTAiI/AAAAAAAADnk/ecbTTTRXJMADHQCWpjdQobv44KofixkjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s254/christmas%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bcard%2Blike%2Bme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="254" data-original-width="199" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vfcM9dCG3E/X85OzxRTAiI/AAAAAAAADnk/ecbTTTRXJMADHQCWpjdQobv44KofixkjgCLcBGAsYHQ/s0/christmas%2Blittle%2Bgirl%2Bcard%2Blike%2Bme.jpg" /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">She looked EXACTLY like I did as a child that age. And she
wanted to talk to me. I honestly thought I was dreaming. I grabbed my friends arm.
I took a deep breath and spoke to her. I was so overcome with emotion I can’t
remember her name. But, I just gushed over her innocence, her beauty, her profound
joy, and her purity. She couldn’t stop smiling and she was apparently so
utterly delighted to be going into the Festival of Trees! I must repeat, she
looked </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">exactly like</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> me when I was
four years old! It was an incredible and indescribable experience. In this
moment I realize she is my Christmas Angel.</span></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INJZP2ao30w/X85O8bdXUYI/AAAAAAAADno/6pxr3z_M_qIi-Sum3hr7zd6812K6o6XuACLcBGAsYHQ/s800/Christmas%2BAngel%2Blooks%2Blike%2BAunty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="504" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-INJZP2ao30w/X85O8bdXUYI/AAAAAAAADno/6pxr3z_M_qIi-Sum3hr7zd6812K6o6XuACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Christmas%2BAngel%2Blooks%2Blike%2BAunty.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Angel Aunty as a little girl</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">I got in my car and started crying. I was just so overcome by
this experience. As I was driving away, again through the gardens and woodlands
and surrounded by the feeling of the season, including angels, I got the
message. I feel like the universe was saying to me DON’T EVER LOSE YOUR SENSE
OF WONDER.</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;">I almost did this past year. It’s
been excruciatingly painful at times to live alone during a pandemic.</span></div>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">But, NO ONE CAN EVER TAKE AWAY THAT JOY DEEP INSIDE YOUR HEART.
NOTHING SO REAL CAN EVER BE THRATENED! This is good news! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So my message to my Facebook friends and longtime fans of my
blog </span><i style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ageless with Aunty</i><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">… Keep that
child inside alive. Go back somehow and find and feel that sense of wonder. Do
whatever it takes. It’s miraculous and worth the effort.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And that child inside of you will get you through tough times. The
lights on your tree will be brighter and your troubles a bit lighter. You may
find you appreciate even the littlest things much more. And when you keep a
heart of gratitude, God will give you even more to be grateful for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Merry Everything. And thank you TLC and Mara for being by my
side….</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 7.5pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 7.5pt; mso-outline-level: 4;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-70208232053471648072020-12-01T10:02:00.001-08:002020-12-01T10:02:36.896-08:00THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS LIES IN YOUR HEART!<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppc-wzyoKuQ/X8Z4ciAE1gI/AAAAAAAADkY/Z9uhVIlo1f05eEgyq27G_ljyZWnlSq9JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ppc-wzyoKuQ/X8Z4ciAE1gI/AAAAAAAADkY/Z9uhVIlo1f05eEgyq27G_ljyZWnlSq9JwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4897.JPG" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's that time of year...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">HO HO HO…..<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I L-O-V-E CHRISTMAS TIME!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We may be in a pandemic but one can still find ways to celebrate the season...</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">An average day in December is….Fuel up with the
BEST CHRISTMAS COFFEE under the sun…HO HO Joe’s!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I put it in a paper cup from Starbucks (you
know the really pretty festive ones) and I stroll outdoors to get some fresh
Christmas time air.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Of course this year is a little different with
the pandemic and we simply can’t be too careful. But, if you are creative you
can find ways to still get out and a little about, from a distance with your
mask.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I get in my car and blast every Christmas song
known to man. And I collect Christmas songs so I have a pretty ginormous selection!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>See if you can find “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I’m gonna tell Santa Claus on you!” or Christmas in Boston.<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Or how about <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Merry Christmas All. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And another
hidden classic is…Reindeer Boogie! </i>Then again, has anyone had the pleasure
of listening to<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> James Brown’s Christmas
CD? </i>It’s super festive and funky!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">After I deck the halls, I usually deck myself
with holiday earrings with reindeer or wreaths or my snowman pins…I am also
known to wear a Christmas bell around my neck or on my finger! And of Couse my
seasonal hats.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM6-LFJ04xw/X8aC5GiK4CI/AAAAAAAADmE/JmvdSL0V9wIA4yj80IhigyaV9Und44WxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1058/08_19A%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="996" data-original-width="1058" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cM6-LFJ04xw/X8aC5GiK4CI/AAAAAAAADmE/JmvdSL0V9wIA4yj80IhigyaV9Und44WxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/08_19A%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Keeping up a strolling tradition in Newburyport<p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhlkARdbN5o/X8Z8B8hzKeI/AAAAAAAADk0/9g6trbORoyQDhr8iSgRJiWUyxCL4KTHhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_3336.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jhlkARdbN5o/X8Z8B8hzKeI/AAAAAAAADk0/9g6trbORoyQDhr8iSgRJiWUyxCL4KTHhwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_3336.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And I simply saturate myself with holiday joy!!!!
I am told it’s contagious. And I do love spreading joy…..</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kS866jCutA8/X8Z9AN9JNkI/AAAAAAAADlE/Tm1sATsc94A03BI_sBFfdaIW3v4yB4NKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1975/IMG_0450%2B%25284%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1975" data-original-width="1454" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kS866jCutA8/X8Z9AN9JNkI/AAAAAAAADlE/Tm1sATsc94A03BI_sBFfdaIW3v4yB4NKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0450%2B%25284%2529.JPG" /></a></div>Run run Rudolph!<p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I had traditions with Ming and Aunty about selecting
our tree. There is a farm in Wellesley Mass that is awesome and even though I get
my tree there every year I don’t even know the name. I would always cry tears
of joy when bringing it home and staring at it after it was all decorated. Ming
even got teary eyed too.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJkezP4nicI/X8aAFzWYvbI/AAAAAAAADls/qej8ZOgCR6cvVmIsV3fJaEMHNqGCF_ulACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Christmas%2BTime%2B12--2009%2B013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="165" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eJkezP4nicI/X8aAFzWYvbI/AAAAAAAADls/qej8ZOgCR6cvVmIsV3fJaEMHNqGCF_ulACLcBGAsYHQ/w220-h165/Christmas%2BTime%2B12--2009%2B013.jpg" width="220" /></a></div>Same sign every year...<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zyg899uM8ao/X8Z_8fxnGyI/AAAAAAAADlo/rAenlDRJg1ATFNF1JVfuHxxYfEwsClkZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Christmas%2BTime%2B12--2009%2B012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zyg899uM8ao/X8Z_8fxnGyI/AAAAAAAADlo/rAenlDRJg1ATFNF1JVfuHxxYfEwsClkZwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Christmas%2BTime%2B12--2009%2B012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I might venture out to get one by myself this
year. Once I set it up it brings me enormous comfort and joy! Don’t you just
LOVE your Christmas tree?! Some of you may recall that Ming and I called ours </span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Puffy Green</i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">!</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSTpeEMoNeA/X8Z8WBNO5hI/AAAAAAAADk8/2mJ7YFK7PgcPM5NwCcHDrc8ti7SdOTGGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oSTpeEMoNeA/X8Z8WBNO5hI/AAAAAAAADk8/2mJ7YFK7PgcPM5NwCcHDrc8ti7SdOTGGwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1800.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Ming assisting with Puffy Green<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And our Aunty loved Christmas trees so much she
would always gaze adoringly at ours and you could see how much she appreciated
the season and the truest meaning behind it all. She passed this love for
Christmas down to her daughter, granddaughter, grandsons and myself. And now we
see this affinity for the season in the great grandchildren and so on….I call
it the magical Christmas legacy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp4kmbK5ylk/X8aBN39VG0I/AAAAAAAADl4/mj171iMoi5kZFkOQTFkNxTal9996JBPBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/20161225_101417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vp4kmbK5ylk/X8aBN39VG0I/AAAAAAAADl4/mj171iMoi5kZFkOQTFkNxTal9996JBPBgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/20161225_101417.jpg" /></a></div>Pure Magic<br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And my
sweet mother has always been doing the same (her mother was Aunty’s sister)! We
have Christmas in our blood. My mom tells me that her dad LOVED Christmas too!
He and my late Uncle D would always sing through the season. I really wish I had a photograph of that!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT8wwStZxGA/X8Z9KxIwqcI/AAAAAAAADlI/jLzrvNu53zUlRoS0iNE9NWRdq0iGiFergCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_0437%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1687" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BT8wwStZxGA/X8Z9KxIwqcI/AAAAAAAADlI/jLzrvNu53zUlRoS0iNE9NWRdq0iGiFergCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_0437%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Even my friends are festive!</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">One very early memory was one Christmas eve I had
to be no more than seven and I stood on Aunty and Uncle D’s stoop and we sang I<i>t came upon a midnight clear</i> before heading next door the annual Christmas eve
bash of another Aunt and Uncle’s home. Grand times for sure.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM0VMl-Vvuw/X8Z-OO-AsZI/AAAAAAAADlc/KAqaXCkkMlk4x5fo5yplFBCGIgQKHNRtACLcBGAsYHQ/s1908/21_6A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1272" data-original-width="1908" height="205" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CM0VMl-Vvuw/X8Z-OO-AsZI/AAAAAAAADlc/KAqaXCkkMlk4x5fo5yplFBCGIgQKHNRtACLcBGAsYHQ/w308-h205/21_6A.jpg" width="308" /></a></div>Christmas Prelude ~Sleigh ride w Aunty<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Do you have any Christmas Traditions that you
can share?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us6WOiCJHPA/X8aD-8rAF4I/AAAAAAAADmM/sBTbt6uhLiUZEkbWYTR_L9BqdBESFCSwACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/pams%2Bchirstmas%2Bparty%2B12-10%2B006%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1475" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Us6WOiCJHPA/X8aD-8rAF4I/AAAAAAAADmM/sBTbt6uhLiUZEkbWYTR_L9BqdBESFCSwACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pams%2Bchirstmas%2Bparty%2B12-10%2B006%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Will someone please pass the Gambino Prosecco</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size: 12pt;">This year I can’t fulfill all of mine since
they involve being extra cozy with friends and family…but, I have managed to
make a few safe plans for the season.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nPVBBbFq-M/X8aEY7c9LCI/AAAAAAAADmY/uldPsApFQLwLZZ7n7Y9zrqQ_XvHN3XRvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1835%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1573" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7nPVBBbFq-M/X8aEY7c9LCI/AAAAAAAADmY/uldPsApFQLwLZZ7n7Y9zrqQ_XvHN3XRvQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1835%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div>With my precious Sisters at Christmas<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And remember even when it gets tough at times (I
can assure you I am not pinging off the walls with glee every moment) I just
remember one of my favorite sayings;<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><span style="background-color: red;"><i>THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS LIES IN YOUR HEART</i></span>!!!!
It’s true. Just take a moment to recall the wonderful and precious Christmas’s
past….the magic is in our hearts and our sacred memories. I also love making new memories
each year!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I praise God that I have a healthy family to
celebrate with (even if I can’t hug and kiss them this year). My entire family
(extended as well) excels at making Christmas memories! I think most of us do.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And of course for all of those Christians…we
know the real reason for the season!</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Can
you give me one ginormous Alleluia!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">WITH LOVE, PEACE, AND JOY…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">RENEE AND HER CHRISTMAS ANGELS….<o:p></o:p></span></p><br /></div><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-8335218105758308452020-11-27T05:21:00.001-08:002020-11-27T05:21:32.607-08:00RENEE'S FAVORITE THINGS....AKA MY CHRISTMAS WISH LIST!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKMkSJ__Enc/X8D7exHH5mI/AAAAAAAADjk/A3utCl_dIXcssUoscg88cOvyJZoWsGp-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4927.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aKMkSJ__Enc/X8D7exHH5mI/AAAAAAAADjk/A3utCl_dIXcssUoscg88cOvyJZoWsGp-gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Every year
around this time Oprah publishes her </span><i style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">Favorite
Things</i><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"> list, and, so do I! The only thing different between her list and
mine is….mine is two-fold. My list serves as great gift ideas </span><b style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;"><i>and</i></b><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT", sans-serif; font-size: 14pt;">
my own Christmas Wish List! So, if there is a Santa out there, please listen
up! I am sure Oprah has stocked up mile high with all her favorite things, but
I am simply dreaming, wishing, and drooling for mine.</span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Yet, even if I
don’t receive any of these wonderful items (it’s fun sometimes to wish and
dream) I will be happy for anyone who does….the following make great gifts for
all those who have been really good this year. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And of course,
there is no greater gift then L-O-V-E, and it truly is better to give then to
receive, But, in the meantime…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Renee’s Christmas
Wish list and Gift Suggestions in no special order….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Slip on
Uggs/Ugg Boots in any color or style!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They are just so comfortable I have worn the two pairs I have had (both
gifts) completely out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just love them
and they are one of the coziest products on the market. Make someone blissful.
I hear Santa wears these in his sleigh!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVRiCUZ4KdM/X8D7wiN2VbI/AAAAAAAADjs/kYPQjHBhUNA5ijh0N448lxxbTDvaYCpUACLcBGAsYHQ/s1200/uggs%2Bin%2Bcascade.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="496" data-original-width="1200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wVRiCUZ4KdM/X8D7wiN2VbI/AAAAAAAADjs/kYPQjHBhUNA5ijh0N448lxxbTDvaYCpUACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/uggs%2Bin%2Bcascade.webp" width="320" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How about 100
per cent cotton pj’s? These are pure comfort and joy! I have been sleeping in
Ming’s and Auntie’s pajamas for years now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>How about Geisha Flannel Pajama’s from Cat’s Pj’s…but anything pure
cotton makes me smile, even long johns would be nice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I-pad/tablet. I may be the only one on
planet earth in a developed country without a lap top and microwave but I don’t
think I can go without a tablet much longer. I dream of searching the internet
and listening to podcasts on one. I can only imagine it must be a great way to
get through the pandemic. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Power of Now</span></i><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> CD/Book. I follow Ekhart Tolle (ET)
and am currently on full scholarship floating through his <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Being the Light Course</i>. Anyone on the path who wants to deepen
their spirituality ET is a must! Oprah and I agree…ET is the man! Truly one of
my top five books of all time! I’ve taken it out of the library ten times. Buy
it for yourself! Buy it for everyone.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have been
savoring and relishing green and white teas since 1997…it’s my favorite drink,
with select coffee as a close second. And like high-quality tea, high-quality coffee
is expensive these days, especially the coffee I would like to enjoy more often.
I might add that since I research things for my blog <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ageless with Aunty</i>, I can say for certain I have not found a better
coffee anywhere on earth then these two:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>HO HO Joe’s. This top-notch coffee is utterly sublime. The smell alone
is worth the price. It’s a coffee from Cape Cod (a company called Beanstock)
and the Ho HO Joe’s features hints of chestnut, a subtle touch of vanilla, with
a cinnamon background. Aunty loved it. My coffee connoisseur mother loves it,
and so will you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is also a super
fabulous coffee called Ming Tsai’s Mushroom Coffee in regular or decafe. Both of
these blends are outstanding and would make a great gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know it’s just coffee but try these and your
spoon <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">will</i> swoon.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvlODpgEJvQ/X8D8BdPEYnI/AAAAAAAADj0/cQYTjczMZX8TfaRo_wjUaztkMyFSqnO4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s251/coffee%2Bwith%2Bheart%2Bsmoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="201" data-original-width="251" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IvlODpgEJvQ/X8D8BdPEYnI/AAAAAAAADj0/cQYTjczMZX8TfaRo_wjUaztkMyFSqnO4ACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/coffee%2Bwith%2Bheart%2Bsmoke.jpg" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One hard to
reach item is this Japanese incense that I adore. Since it’s only available in
Japan maybe Santa will grab me a batch while he’s on that side of the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its’ called Lisn by Shyoeido and this
particular one is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sound on Wave</i>!!!
It’s alluring and sensuous and simply sublime. It carries me away….a great
stocking stuffer too (if you can find it). <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And speaking of carried away someone recently told me
that you haven’t lived until you taste a 20 year old Borolo Wine. I think they
might be right. I have to say just hanging out with my foodie and wine loving
family (aside from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Jules</i>, my sister’s
own personal prosecco rose) I have fallen head over heels for Borolo, Burgundy
and Bordeaux (Red) wines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I only
recently realized how amazing these top quality wines actually are. And now I
dream of them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope Santa will stop by
with a bottle of one of these gems for me. I have been exceptionally good this
year! And, if you don’t believe me as to the quality of these vintages hear
what Wine experts say… <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="background: #6F6C6C; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><i><span style="background: #6F6C6C; font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; letter-spacing: .15pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Traditionally crafted, this opens with
classic Nebbiolo aromas of leather, tilled earth, dried rose petal, ripe berry
and grilled herb. The ripe palate delivers mature black cherry, crushed
raspberry, black pepper and baking spices alongside firm but refined
tannins." - Wine Enthuiast</span></i><span style="background: #6F6C6C; font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The finish
goes on forever….<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spanx jeans or
leather leggings. I had no idea this company made pants! My sisters wear them
and they look great! Santa you might want to get a pair for Mrs. Claus.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Books Books
and Never Ever enough books…. Santa, you are smart so you know how important
reading is. Help me complete my library with… <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Hidden Life of Trees</i> by Peter Wholleben, (the whole planet
should read this gem), <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How I Built This</i>
by Guy Roz, and the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">100<sup>th</sup>
Annual Edition of the 2021 Writer’s Market</i>!!!! By now the entire world
knows my dream is to get my writing published. This book will help me make it
happen real soon!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And speaking
of writing…Well, for over ten years now I have been coveting stand up desks!! I
know Santa wants me to be healthy and sitting at your desk all day certainly is
not.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hear that UPlift desks are the
best!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They even have a hammock so you
can relax and chill in between all your standing and editing. This would be a
divine gift for the hardworking writer or computer geek in your life. My hands
get tired too from all the typing. So, Santa, I’ll gladly take a roller ball
pen if the desk can’t fit into your sleigh.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF6PnQ4PeHY/X8D8LXmUARI/AAAAAAAADj4/iNEotI1lUNYL8v_8xyXLxsi3TukmsynkACLcBGAsYHQ/s306/uplight%2Bhammock%2Bdesk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="165" data-original-width="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iF6PnQ4PeHY/X8D8LXmUARI/AAAAAAAADj4/iNEotI1lUNYL8v_8xyXLxsi3TukmsynkACLcBGAsYHQ/s0/uplight%2Bhammock%2Bdesk.jpg" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How about a
Fit Bit!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now this is a gift that WILL
make you feel like you can live forever. Santa I’ve got to find a way to get
one of these. Do you have one? You should definitely get one for yourself. WE
need you to be around for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And since I do
plan a socially distanced visit with you Santa one has to be extra warm and
comfy when visiting the North Pole, and given this pandemic I am not planning
to be indoors very much this winter (except my own home) so, how about a
Canadian goose down coat. I hear they are the warmest EVER!!!! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someday my coat will come.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">How about
giving someone a personal organizer!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
save a lot of things. I still have some of Aunty’s clothes, Ming’s things, and the
tags from my mother’s Christmas gifts, and so much more. An experienced
professional organizer would literally help me clear my path to success.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>REALLY! Sometimes I think it would save my
life! If you know someone who doesn’t like to throw things away, now this is a
great idea.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1qAiQedq_I/X8D9QfpdBCI/AAAAAAAADkM/yrs7LrJ68H8OTgeS2LxmJgb3JIMYCG8gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s900/Jen%2Baniston%2Bhome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="900" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a1qAiQedq_I/X8D9QfpdBCI/AAAAAAAADkM/yrs7LrJ68H8OTgeS2LxmJgb3JIMYCG8gwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Jen%2Baniston%2Bhome.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And if Santa
wants to be extravagant this year… I could surely use a new car. I love
Honda’s. Ming had one, I had one, and well, they are simply awesome.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can only imagine the feeling of owning a
new car since I have not ever had one. I drive a great deal to see my family
and I could get there much more safely in a new vehicle. My old clunker is ready
to retire….so before you retire Santa, consider granting me this wish. You
don’t even have to leave your home. I hear they ship cars right to your doors
these days. I’ll take a Honda Accord in any color. Heck, to show you I am not
greedy at all, I’ll take four new tires for my 15 year old Ford or another year
of Triple A!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Last but
certainly not least, since it’s been a tough year for all of us….How about a
real magic wand?! I know of only one in existence with only a few available.
And who couldn’t use a golden Magical Wand about now?! I happen to know a funky
fairy God-mother who has a few for sale, so just ask me for the info. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And, if you
don’t want to get me that real magic wand I have no problem with a Wine Wand
which pairs perfectly with that fine wine you will be bringing me. (I have
allergies and placing a wine wand in my glass of red makes the sulfites
magically go away and I am a really happy sipper). I can tell you exactly where
to get one…you take that third right on Mains Street across from Rudolph’s Pub
and next to Herbie the Dentist, and there you will find the Total Wine store on
the North Pole! Cheers.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Santa you
don’t have to spend a lot…I will still be very happy with a few stacks of
yellow lined paper, postage stamps, Elta MD body lotion, any faux candles (I
love the ones that flicker and look real and even tiny ones too), or any socks,
undergarments, long sleeve tee’s that are 100 per cent cotton. It’s all about
comfort.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZvXvtors7w/X8D81JeL6iI/AAAAAAAADkE/s0p41fpyvb8TGYwmlz-6G6g9DluYv4i4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OZvXvtors7w/X8D81JeL6iI/AAAAAAAADkE/s0p41fpyvb8TGYwmlz-6G6g9DluYv4i4wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1827.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thanks Santa!
I will keep up all my favorite holiday traditions this year even if I have to
do them from a distance and with a mask on. Nothing will ever stop me from
celebrating.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love the holidays and I
love you!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I particularly enjoy
giving and receiving gifts…..we are all kids at the holidays… and about now we
ALL DESERVE some joy!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Truth be told…it
was really fun to put this list together BUT the greatest gifts are those you
cannot buy, like A phone call or visit from a loved one, time with friends and
family, getting to spend time with the little ones that I love. Nothing can top
that feeling of love and time with family and close friends. Merry Merry and
happy giving and receiving and memory making! Please wear your mask, that is
the BEST gift you can give the world this year and it cost you nothing.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Added note:
Once again my friends and I are giving to the less fortunate. I may not have a
new car or a really warm coat, but, I have food and a roof over my head and in
tough times, my sister’s hand me downs. Let’s be extra grateful this year that
we have each other and we made it this far…..With health, family/friends, and
faith, we have it all…..please share what you have now more than ever!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In deep humble
gratitude,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Renee Faith<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-88212914136514743132020-11-24T15:45:00.003-08:002020-11-24T15:45:39.482-08:00GIVING THANKS IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ViuoKP4Jok/X72Y8-SvRxI/AAAAAAAADjM/4sJnGHIuQc8uYy-6TYgQe0GGOqzDmRNCACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/Turkey%2BThanksgiving%2Bcirca%2B2012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8ViuoKP4Jok/X72Y8-SvRxI/AAAAAAAADjM/4sJnGHIuQc8uYy-6TYgQe0GGOqzDmRNCACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Turkey%2BThanksgiving%2Bcirca%2B2012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">There <i>IS</i> always something to be grateful for.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">The <b>more</b> you count your blessings the <b>more </b>blessings
God gives you to count.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Being grateful is the main ingredient to being happier.
<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Every day is Thanksgiving really.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Happy Thanksgiving and I am grateful that you
are (still) reading <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ageless with Aunty!<o:p></o:p></i></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Angel
Aunty thanks you too….<o:p></o:p></span></i></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thsHAO2_p-s/X72Z324gV_I/AAAAAAAADjY/LLN8FCsZTj8MJnzYohtR4df3rNVnCBqCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_1819%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1781" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-thsHAO2_p-s/X72Z324gV_I/AAAAAAAADjY/LLN8FCsZTj8MJnzYohtR4df3rNVnCBqCQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1819%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I am so thankful that Aunty's spirit is alive and well and watching over me always and forever....</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">She has so much love she's watching over all of us! So don't worry...something beautiful is on our horizon.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And, I am deeply grateful that my precious mother is still alive and I will see her (from a distance) on </span>Thanksgiving<span style="font-size: 12pt;">! Like Aunty, she's a holiday!</span></span></p><br /><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-12614660927312885652020-11-18T07:17:00.002-08:002020-11-24T15:31:38.853-08:00A BEAUTIFUL LIFE, A BEAUTIFUL DEATH...<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbONlbQcyG4/X7U6hegxdGI/AAAAAAAADi0/J5xwq2F1wD0qC-bWSAwk0IhAHIXSUOYfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1998/IMG_1820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1998" data-original-width="1716" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vbONlbQcyG4/X7U6hegxdGI/AAAAAAAADi0/J5xwq2F1wD0qC-bWSAwk0IhAHIXSUOYfQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/IMG_1820%2B%25282%2529.JPG" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">ANGEL
AUNTY….PASSED NINE YEARS AGO TODAY…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 16.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Many
of us do the best we can and keep striving to be and do better. I know of one
person who did even better than the best they could for everyone, with every
breath they took, every day of their life…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">That
was my late Aunty Helen. She was the most Christ-LIKE of any human I have EVER
known. She graced our world for 88 years. It was nine years ago today, November
18, 2011 that she passed with me right by her side as close as I could be…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
I remember over the years hearing anyone say<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>that so and so had a peaceful and beautiful death I really didn’t understand
it. I have also heard people say As in death as in life. I take this to mean
that you do reap what you sow and you take that with you. Since Aunty truly did
exemplify loving kindness and was remarkably virtuous, never ever harming
anyone, she crossed over with ease and grace (if death can be easy). I could sense,
and almost see the angels and her ancestors waiting for her with open arms.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">If
death can be beautiful then Aunty’s was. It was a Friday night. The house had
been set up for Christmas early that year when I realized Aunty was going to
pass. She LOVED Christmas trees so much that Ming and I had to have one set up
for her. Some of my favorite Christmas memories are her admiring our tree with
such delight and wonder. (Like my Mother, Aunty is Christmas to me)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
particular evening the lights were twinkling and shimmering brighter than
before. The air was filled with divine music and some of Aunty’s favorites like
Snatum Kaur’s devotional music, Andrea Bocelli, and soft angelic Christmas
Hymns. The songs seemed to be coming from another realm and suddenly sounded symphonic
even from my portable CD player. The room that she was lying in was illuminated
only by candle and Christmas lights. Around six pm. Ming came over. After hugs
and kisses for both aunty and me, he of course went into the kitchen to prepare
dinner, yet he kept checking in with me and Aunty. He so loved Aunty too!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
sat by Aunty’s side while she was resting. I held her hand and our already
extremely close bond intensified and became eternal in the following moments. I
had set up pictures right by her bed of her late husband, her late daughter,
her mother and father, her grandchildren and great grandchildren (all whom
Aunty utterly adored and lived for). As the candles flickered, the lights
twinkled, suddenly the soft Christmas music deepened and became spiritual…a
greater force seemed to be setting the tone for a most perfect cross over to
the other side for an angel named <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aunty.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">It
was around quarter of seven on what felt like a holy Friday evening. Ming came into
the room and said his good-byes to Aunty full of tears. He told me, “Sweetie,
its’ time.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He went back to the kitchen.
I have to say, there was nothing at all morbid or scary. As a matter of fact, everything
became elevated. Aunty started moving her mouth as if to say I love you VERY
MUCH and I will always be with you. To me it seemed like she was smiling. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
happened next will always feel like a miracle to me. I was as close to God, the
angels and the saints as I ever was. As her precious spirit was starting to
leave her body so it could soar for eternity…<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">What
came out of my mouth were PERFECT words. I assured her with conviction and
beyond any doubt that I would love her forever and that I would see her in
heaven. I thanked her for her love and her life of true self-sacrificing love;
the love that she gave me, her husband, her daughter, her parents, her brothers
and sisters, her grandchildren, her great grandchildren, her friends, and
anyone who she had ever known. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
reminded her how much we ALL love her and ALWAYS will. I assured her that her
husband, daughter, brother and sisters, mother and father WERE WAITING for her.
She smiled and smiled again. She was completely at peace saying I LOVE YOU. I
hugged her and held her and she took her last breath in my arms. And not surprising
to me at all, even in death she assured me that she would always keep an eye on
me and on all of us…as she kept one eye open. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Then
as if she were a saint, or because she reached a Bodhi-Sattva state, I anointed
her with lavender oil. I carefully poured some into my hands and gently rubbed
her arms and legs and Ming helped too. We prayed and we wept and we lit even
more candles. We stayed by her side. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
think it’s noteworthy that she passed at this time of year. She was so in tune
with nature and even her passing was a sublime nod to her alignment with God,
the very force of life and she was so in sync with the seasons themselves. According
to the One Willow Apotheacaries dying in Autumn represents; </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="background: white; color: #202124; font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">A time of harvest and longing, celebrations, endings and melancholy, </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">autumn is</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> a potent
mixture of all the exquisite fulfillment and color that accompanies the ritual
of </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">dying</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">. It reminds us
that </span><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">dying is</b><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">, in truth, a time
of the deepest abundance and celebratory release.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></i></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Till
this day I light a candle every single night for Aunty! EVERY single night. And
because I knew that she was going to pass, I had a few months to prepare, I took
in all of her essence. I paid close attention to everything about her and with
that, even in this moment, I am able to fully feel as if she is right here with
me. I feel her love and it warms me and comforts me just as it did when she was
in human form. I believe this is one of my greatest blessing! This blessing
continues with Aunty and Uncle D’s great-grandchildren and the children they
are bringing into the world….it’s a lasting legacy of love that they started. They
live on in their offspring’s offspring’s offsprings…etc… My hope and prayer is
that for generations to come they realize from what greatness they came. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Not
too long ago when I did a post about Aunty her granddaughter said it best, “I
miss everything about that woman!” <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">God
Bless all of you and thank you for reading this about our Aunty. I can assure
you she loves you too. Let’s all take a moment to fully remember our loved ones
who have passed. Think about what it would feel like if they were here in
bodily form….their scent, their look, their actions, their smile. How they made
us feel. Their spirit is surely alive! Know that they still LOVE us and that one
day we will see them again. Like Ming said, “For the time being If you listen
and breathe deep you will hear them speak. Love NEVER EVER DIES!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Tw Cen MT","sans-serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p><br /><p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-57377433704784922132020-11-14T06:52:00.001-08:002020-11-24T15:32:52.448-08:00MING AND I....and I MISS HIM!<p style="text-align: left;"></p><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><br /><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q_sDTr3W-8/X6_tmEOdDjI/AAAAAAAADio/joVCZnYX4egtlJqybhYAqliMvdoX6ultACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/IMG_4257%2B%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1618" data-original-width="2048" height="329" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Q_sDTr3W-8/X6_tmEOdDjI/AAAAAAAADio/joVCZnYX4egtlJqybhYAqliMvdoX6ultACLcBGAsYHQ/w416-h329/IMG_4257%2B%25282%2529.JPG" width="416" /></a><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> REALLY MISS MING! I miss how he had a tiny
blue baby teddy bear buckled safely into the back seat of his car from the day
I met him!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I miss how he would ALWAYS play me Beatles
music (ever since our first date) knowing I LOVE the BEATLES.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I miss how he would buy Persimmons (please try
this most delectable fruit if you haven’t) This orange color gem is superb. He
would carefully and patiently wait days or weeks while the fruit would ripen. It
has to be soft to the touch. He would always tell me “you have to wait
Sweetie!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">And when we waited it was a perfect succulent treat!
I bought two last night and I can hear him saying to me “My Sweetie has to
learn patience.” So, I will wait till it’s just right! <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I Miss how he would call me “Sweetie!”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">I miss his healing. He was a true healer. He
had opened his own Tao Health Center back in the 90’s. He was well versed in
health and wellness. And if I ever had any ailment or discomfort he would sit
at the side of the bed with his hands over me and pray and speak and channel
some healing force. Miraculously given the power of his love and his healing
touch whatever was bothering me always went right away!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he would bring home lots of healthy
food from his favorite store Trader Joe’s. I can still see him carrying the
heavy bags of food up the stairs.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He had suffered with heart disease for over
twenty years and NEVER EVER EVER complained! He even insisted on carrying the
groceries.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Of course I helped too but he was a true
inspiration.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss sharing a huge bowl of popcorn with him
while we watched our favorite movies like Totoro, Ponyo, and Miracle on 34</span><sup style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">th</sup><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
Street. And he LOVED ELF!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I love how he would tease me by saying how well
he knows the streets of Boston. “I know them better than my sweetie does!’ He
LOVED driving and we drove all over New England together.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how much he loves Christmas and how
every year we called our tree “Puffy Green!” I miss watching him treasure and
savor his Aunties black rum cake each year at Christmas. She would wrap it in
wax paper and put it in a tin. (I still have a few of the tins).</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">He handles it with great care and would
carefully unwrap and have a little sliver a few times a week so it would last a
long time. And apparently the run was a great preservative. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss going to the Cape with him every June!
We’ve been to every part of the Cape Together over the years. One favorite spot
was Mattakeese Wharf restaurant at sunset.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He had discovered it in a magazine and I said it can’t be too good if they
have to advertise. Well, Ming was right again! Having a cucumber martini on a
summer night by the sea with your loved one by your side while your just caught
fish is cooking, that is a perfect summer night.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss hearing him say “Did
you call your mother?!” He LOVED every single person in my family and they
loved him! We all miss him dearly. My mother and my dear friend Gracie still
have long conversations about him. And I honestly can feel him smile from
heaven when we do. And even now as I write this…he is happy. I only wish I had
honored him more while he was alive.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how much he loved his own family. He
would always call and visit them and I have to say his family is simply
wonderful just like him! Thankfully I still keep in touch and visit them. They
make me happy too.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss him buying all kinds of Christmas gifts
for EVERYONE EVERY YEAR…even a pen, a book, a pet rock, a picture frame, or
some little thingy. If I thought the gift was just too silly to give like a
screwdriver, or a small address book, I would say don’t put my name on it. He
would laugh. And turns out it became a thing. Everyone looked forward to Ming’s
presents.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he loved to dance. He loved the time
we got invited to a private club in NYC and stayed out till three a.m. He was
in his glory…he loved to have fun! I miss dancing with him at our friend’s
summer barn dances. He was the first one there and last to leave.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he would always prepare healthy
meals. He probably spent most of his time in the kitchen. He often shared that
one of his favorite memories was sitting in the kitchen watching or helping his
mother cook.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">Sometimes I would laugh and say “Please make
something other than beans and rice!” And the day he passed he had just
finished making a pot of rice.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss him letting me drive his shiny blue
Honda the one with the tiny blue teddy bear buckled in the back seat.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss hearing him listening to his sacred
Indian flute music, or playing his drum.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he would be one of the faithful few who
would ALWAYS COMMENT on my blog. That really meant a lot to me. If anyone goes back to read </span><a href="http://www.reneegold.com/"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;">www.reneegold.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> it’s called Ageless with Aunty (during the
2010-2018 posts) you can see his kind comments with almost every post!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he would take me to our North Shore
beaches every summer weekend. We had our ritual; sitting, sunning, me walking,
him swimming, then into the car he would have a gallon of water ready and wash
the sand of my feet (or aunty’s or my friend’s). This most kind gesture speaks
volumes. He was humble and most kind. Then off to the Causeway restaurant. I
keep this up with friends now. I hope there a family member out there who will
join me in re-creating a Ming day.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I miss how he would call me EVERY DAY!!!! He
genuinely and completely loved me. And I loved him too, but, I didn’t fully
realize just how much until he was gone.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And now I love keeping his memory alive. I more than realize what a
blessing he is and was!!! Yet, I do have to say, he did drive me crazy at
times!!! However, a close friend recently said, “It just worked for you. You
two had this dynamic that just worked! And apparently it did. I truly feel
blessed. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">He actually was quite precious.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I write this I am wearing the Ralph Lauren
pajama’s I bought for him at our last Christmas together. And I wear his blue
jacket with Indian Feathers on it, and sometimes his slippers. He called them
his “kitchen slippers.” They almost fit me…but they sure do keep me warm and
cozy. Just like all these absolutely cherished memories.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">There are endless things I could say. WE had so
much in common and were always making plans. We did a whole bunch of stuff
together. We always had something fun, spiritual, deep or frivolous on the
agenda.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ming has always been my teacher. He taught me a
lot and still does. Even now after writing this I feel he is helping me to send
a message. PLEASE if there is a kind, wonderful person in your life who really
LOVES you don’t take them for granted EVER! If you want to be honest, it’s
always the nice people, the ones we know we always be there and truly care that
we sometimes take most for granted. This is a reminder directly from
heaven…Let’s all try to give a little more love today most especially to someone
you know truly loves you and someone you may have taken for granted. I hope you
can do this before they too go to heaven….</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Love, Renee</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-49373835745688035532019-07-23T08:22:00.002-07:002019-07-23T08:22:43.460-07:00MY LOVE AFFAIR WITH CAPE COD <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93AXQjlphKc/XTcbx2od7CI/AAAAAAAADdw/eBWvc7KEKZwh2dQZ6vQejCjbo0wSCcIQwCLcBGAs/s1600/renee%2Bloves%2Bthe%2Bcape.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1504" data-original-width="1128" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-93AXQjlphKc/XTcbx2od7CI/AAAAAAAADdw/eBWvc7KEKZwh2dQZ6vQejCjbo0wSCcIQwCLcBGAs/s320/renee%2Bloves%2Bthe%2Bcape.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seagull Beach Friday</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">After all
these years I am still in love with Cape Cod! The Cape is timeless, and it is
one of my favorite places to be! The dunes, the abundance of summery beaches,
the hot buttery lobster rolls, the salt air, and all the crystal clear memories
keep calling me back.</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This past
Friday I took a much needed day-cation. Two of my best pals, Gina and Gracie,
picked me up and we were Bourne Bridge Bound. We were also traffic proof. My
friend Gina has a system where you call out your favorite songs and just like
that they’re played. (As a music fanatic that is heaven to me.) So, imagine
driving to the Cape sipping iced coconut coffee, munching on Chips Ahoy cookies
and gummy sharks, stretched out in the back seat with plenty of a/c, while listening
to the tune <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Crystal Blue Persuasion</i>
as the Cape lures you back. Traffic smaffic! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We played songs like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Summer </i>by War (I urge you to check this song out right now). The mellow
beat, and laid back lyrics seduce you with an incredible summer time vibe. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yes, its summer, my time of year….<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6r_AOzIEAk/XTccIrwnSJI/AAAAAAAADd4/jGy-H_CQIQ077HmGPTR7x8IhmDP-2poegCLcBGAs/s1600/renee%2Bon%2Bbridge%2Bat%2Bcape%2Bwith%2Bsun%2Bglow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y6r_AOzIEAk/XTccIrwnSJI/AAAAAAAADd4/jGy-H_CQIQ077HmGPTR7x8IhmDP-2poegCLcBGAs/s320/renee%2Bon%2Bbridge%2Bat%2Bcape%2Bwith%2Bsun%2Bglow.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Keeping
things Ageless (as this blog promises) Gina, one of my new best buds, is
nineteen, so we played some contemporary songs like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Old Town Road </i>and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Boys in the
Band</i>! Seeing Gina so excited over those songs immediately brought me back
to being nineteen (which is exactly the age I started going to Hyannis).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">As soon as
we crossed the bridge and reached the Cape I continued a tradition of mine. We
blasted Joni Mitchell’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Carey. Come on
down to the mermaid café and I will buy you a bottle of wine….</i>That song
just sums up that carefree and barefoot Cape Cod feeling and the feeling inside
my heart. Hearing this classic song with all four wheels now on Cape Cod
ground, just created an outpouring; a myriad of memories of Hyannis, Dennis,
Chatham, Yarmouth, Wellfleet, and more just enveloped and comforted me. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sihWwsiEjjc/XTccQenPZyI/AAAAAAAADd8/RigrEU17qeMbw_xUGPuHOwbWX9S_Vfp0QCLcBGAs/s1600/Gina%2Bcape%2Bcod%2B7-19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sihWwsiEjjc/XTccQenPZyI/AAAAAAAADd8/RigrEU17qeMbw_xUGPuHOwbWX9S_Vfp0QCLcBGAs/s320/Gina%2Bcape%2Bcod%2B7-19.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Gina, New Friends, Old Places </div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">So many
summers of my young adult life were spent here with friends and family. I
vividly remember walking down Main Street in Hyannis always dressed in
something eye-catching. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One summer night,
between my short shorts, cowboy boots, and big hat, and, my sister’s handsome surfer
dude boyfriend, we got so many stares. I felt invincible. Then there was
mini-golfing with my family wearing black Lycra pants, a neon backless shirt
and heels! I purposely whacked the ball into the street to make everyone laugh.
I could remember the time we all got dressed up and danced all night at Tingles
(a popular night club back in the day). There were countless hot summer nights at
the legendary Cape Cod Coliseum (they had no a/c) sweating it out to J. Geils,
Duke and the Drivers, Aerosmith and many more top-notch rock shows. We rented
beach houses, cabins, hotel rooms and efficiencies. I remember renting a
stunning place called the Maylene Townhouse back in the mid-eighties. </span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">PICTURE of a Picture Circa 1983 Cape Cod</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
another time literally rolling out of bed to the beach! I can still hear my
brother-in-law calling out “Who wants a lunar burger” as we all stayed up late
to watch the lunar eclipse in August of 89. Some of the best times by the sea were
with my first boyfriend. We made out on every beach after Bourne, and drank homemade
strawberry margaritas as soon as we arrived. (I spiked them when Aunty and
Uncle D weren’t looking). Sometimes I can still feel my first love pushing me
on that swing that was outside our room at the Seashell Motel in Dennis Port. </span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cape Cod Morning</span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I
remember being with my cousins in Yarmouth and running barefoot across the road
to buy more champagne while tons of cars blaring summer music honked at me. We
had just come home from a lobster feast and my cousin still talks about how I “ate
every part of that thing like Daryl Hannah in Splash!” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">At one time
or another I have dined at just about every Cape Cod restaurant past and
present. There was the Cranberry Moose, Russell’s Landing, and Thompson’s Clam
Bar. These days it’s Sesuit Harbor Café and Mattakesse Wharf. And with the
former, I dare you to find a better setting for an extra fresh Lobster roll! It’s
so wildly popular you will probably run into someone you know there. I always
do.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;"></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Ming Meditating</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 16pt;">Every June
for the last ten years my Ming spent a week on the Cape at a cozy little place
called Holly Tree. He discovered every pristine, private, and peaceful lake and
pond the Cape has to offer. Since I could never get a full week off, I would
always join him for part of the trip. We always got a corner table at
Mattakesse Wharf to watch the sunset. I remember saying to him how good can
this place be if they have to advertise in a tourist magazine. Well, once
again, Ming was right. It turned out to be quintessential Cape and one of our
favorite places to dine. See the sunset. We took this picture from our table.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-063HF2bTAXQ/XTce5gIeK9I/AAAAAAAADeU/5N9T5Ygbz3YTSMvmRo4D49cH80fb9eOFACEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0858.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-063HF2bTAXQ/XTce5gIeK9I/AAAAAAAADeU/5N9T5Ygbz3YTSMvmRo4D49cH80fb9eOFACEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0858.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">And of
course the biggest allure of the Cape is the beaches. So, this past extremely
hot Friday, I strutted across the gorgeous beaches of Cape Cod keeping up old
traditions with new friends….. We even stopped by a little cove where Ming and
I would often practice our yoga and meditation. I was elated to be there as I
deepen my connection to Ming and renew my ties to Cape Cod.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyShY4AAfuc/XTcf8zEnZuI/AAAAAAAADec/AZdbN4rzlG8-RUti7pkdhXLdkgMgd5ajwCEwYBhgL/s1600/IMG_0856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kyShY4AAfuc/XTcf8zEnZuI/AAAAAAAADec/AZdbN4rzlG8-RUti7pkdhXLdkgMgd5ajwCEwYBhgL/s320/IMG_0856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">On Cape Cod with My Mingman</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">On our way
home as we drove away with the sand and dunes behind us playing the Cape Cod
Song… “If you like making love at midnight on the dunes of the Cape…” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My love
affair with Cape Cod continues. I am so grateful for all the memories, past,
present, and future! And, I just can’t wait to go back. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am still discovering new places. P.B Boulangerie
(cape’s best croissants) and Bean stalk coffee (best coffee) here I come… both
just happen to be in a little old town with big waves and sublime
beaches….Wellfleet! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaZfZYVEodo/XTcgemkud-I/AAAAAAAADek/VcxtOKW-7ewPb6mN-tYSBtx3oMn8pyHoACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_4270.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DaZfZYVEodo/XTcgemkud-I/AAAAAAAADek/VcxtOKW-7ewPb6mN-tYSBtx3oMn8pyHoACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_4270.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p>Taken by Ming at Holly Tree </o:p></span> </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt; line-height: 115%;">What’s your favorite summer song….
Your favorite place on the Cape?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">I will leave you with one of my favorite quotes:</span></div>
<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">Man, life sure is good (and ageless) on old Cape Cod</span></i><span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt; line-height: 24.5333px;">–Renee Gold</span></div>
<br />Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-21232269304050032872019-06-29T09:36:00.000-07:002019-06-29T10:04:02.389-07:00YESTERDAY, EVERYBODY HAD A GOOD TIME, EVEN MING…..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPwfzjVuqis/XReJ9-y8qhI/AAAAAAAADbQ/FHIF004t0Zs1iNCEYchJT_u0X_NEWNUmACLcBGAs/s1600/Pams%2B50th%2BSantum%2BKaur%2B5-10%2B003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IPwfzjVuqis/XReJ9-y8qhI/AAAAAAAADbQ/FHIF004t0Zs1iNCEYchJT_u0X_NEWNUmACLcBGAs/s400/Pams%2B50th%2BSantum%2BKaur%2B5-10%2B003.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">When two special friends invited me out last night I
had a feeling it was going to be a wonderful Friday night. It was a hot summer
night with magic in the air…<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Since we were going to see the movie <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Yesterday</i> with a lot of Beatles music in
it, and the three of us are all huge Beatles Fan (their music still gives me
the chills) I knew the evening would be sublime. But I didn’t have any idea how
sublime and that we would meet the Spirit of Ming.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Cf-453j_Q/XReKWPxGRRI/AAAAAAAADbY/itNlAXrYwhcP9CLYPBJvix1KrVbBoAwuQCLcBGAs/s1600/yesterday%2Bimage%2Bwords.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="173" data-original-width="291" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I_Cf-453j_Q/XReKWPxGRRI/AAAAAAAADbY/itNlAXrYwhcP9CLYPBJvix1KrVbBoAwuQCLcBGAs/s1600/yesterday%2Bimage%2Bwords.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">After a superb dinner at Legal Seafood’s in Chestnut
Hill, filled with clams, scallops, crab, mussels, Vesper martinis and more, we
were off to the movies (right next door). Showcase Super Luxe is my favorite movie </span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">theater</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">. They spoil you with seats as comfortable as you could possibly wish
for, a friendly wait staff, fresh hot buttered popcorn, blankets, and even live
entertainment.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlCsJuOnaAc/XReKuqzMNcI/AAAAAAAADbc/mESCc9zKzTYcsYNjoKirgCZLlLB745APACLcBGAs/s1600/yesterday%2Bmovie%2Bsign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="136" data-original-width="370" height="117" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IlCsJuOnaAc/XReKuqzMNcI/AAAAAAAADbc/mESCc9zKzTYcsYNjoKirgCZLlLB745APACLcBGAs/s320/yesterday%2Bmovie%2Bsign.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">The excitement really started as we ascended the
escalator only to hear live Beatles music being played by a Berklee College
student. He was playing </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">I get by with a
Little Help from my Friends</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">. We started singing as we were ushered in to
the plush seats. While we waited for the movie to start I saw an old friend who
just happened to be super excited to see me. She basically jumped into my seat
with me. The seats there are actually large enough to do this. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mneGd_eLRuQ/XReR74n7kBI/AAAAAAAADcw/DcQ-daoe8BYznTSfwUGj3O8-KNiQzKuEgCLcBGAs/s1600/super%2Bluxe%2Btheatre.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mneGd_eLRuQ/XReR74n7kBI/AAAAAAAADcw/DcQ-daoe8BYznTSfwUGj3O8-KNiQzKuEgCLcBGAs/s1600/super%2Bluxe%2Btheatre.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Lobby of Super luxe</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">She said “I
love you Renee and I miss you so much!!!” She added, “Ming is here.” I knew
what she meant. The film is called </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">Yesterday</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,
and that song, along with </span><i style="font-size: 16pt;">Let It Be</i><span style="font-size: 16pt;">,
are Ming’s favorite songs (both played in the film last night). Ming loved the Beatles
too. He played lots of fabulous Beatles songs for me on our first date. And
when Ming passed away last summer, my friend Jill, (the friend I bumped into at the
movies last night) is the one who gave me a gift of a bird carrying a heavy
metal heart that weighs him down. But, when you lift the wings the heart rises.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWJNrbfb2aY/XReNXXeaCvI/AAAAAAAADb4/gEahw6xLunEIBboI99s3JKceO2mlzSvoACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oWJNrbfb2aY/XReNXXeaCvI/AAAAAAAADb4/gEahw6xLunEIBboI99s3JKceO2mlzSvoACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1795.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Seeing Ringo with Ming</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">And she said (even though it was a gift to of one of
her other friends) “You have to have this.” And so she lovingly presented it to
me last summer shortly after Ming passed assuring me “You will fly again!” </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zdc7etGv_o/XReQn6-O1VI/AAAAAAAADcc/e44xcW0lst472xsOcxGSDJ0rRHAO4oiiwCLcBGAs/s1600/heart%2Bwith%2Bwings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="264" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Zdc7etGv_o/XReQn6-O1VI/AAAAAAAADcc/e44xcW0lst472xsOcxGSDJ0rRHAO4oiiwCLcBGAs/s1600/heart%2Bwith%2Bwings.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jill
will forever be a reminder of Ming, his soaring spirit, and his undying love
for me. And there she was squeezing into my seat with me almost as if it were
Ming saying Sweetie I am here with you (since he would have literally loved
every second of the experience of seeing that film with me). Our favorite group
was the Beatles and our favorite thing to do together was go to the “cinema” as
he called it.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 16pt;">The movie started, Jill ran back to her seat and the
film was sublime just like every single note of every single Beatles song ever
written. Danny Boyle (the director) captured the magnificence and
timelessness of the Beatles songs. The critics might say otherwise, but, if you
like the Beatles music and a good night at the movies you should see it. I can’t
wait to see it again!</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9u7XpoVPu8/XReOWTNDN9I/AAAAAAAADcI/aknpBRuPQuIuHsBHM3iZu030Fldo3g5sQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bealtemania2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="191" data-original-width="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g9u7XpoVPu8/XReOWTNDN9I/AAAAAAAADcI/aknpBRuPQuIuHsBHM3iZu030Fldo3g5sQCLcBGAs/s1600/Bealtemania2.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Beatlemania </span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span></span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">I was truly on a cloud for the entire film and cried
several times from sheer love of the songs. I was just gushing and practically
swooning and so were my friends. Halfway through the film Jill came back down
to our seats and we all were waiving our hands and singing </span><span style="background: white; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Ob la di, Ob-la-da! This</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"> was movie
magic in real life.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16pt;">When the show was over and the credits ran we all got
up and just started waiving our hands and swaying to Hey Jude!! Jill came
running back down. She was screaming “Na Na Na Na Na Na Na….Hey Ming!” It was
just perfect. I was truly on a natural high from our Beatles & Ming Love
Fest right there in the </span><span style="font-size: 21.3333px;">theater</span><span style="font-size: 16pt;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jill gave me a big hug and said good night as my
friends and I just stood looking at the screen and each other with pure
adoration for The Beatles and their music. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">The movie may have been over but not the magic. When
we exited the theater we heard Beatles music again. That same fantastic
musician was there playing the songs we had just heard in the film. It was
brilliant. I just threw off my jacket and raised my hands in the large lavish lobby
and we all just let it be…It was so beautiful. I was elevated and beaming. (I want
to note that if Ming were physically alive he would have been filming every
wonderful moment)<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UrgHi4drFE/XReRDjh-jaI/AAAAAAAADck/vRo5NNDdypIa7QnZFV4gWTT7JpuGj7BOACLcBGAs/s1600/lucy%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky%2Bpicture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="189" data-original-width="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8UrgHi4drFE/XReRDjh-jaI/AAAAAAAADck/vRo5NNDdypIa7QnZFV4gWTT7JpuGj7BOACLcBGAs/s1600/lucy%2Bin%2Bthe%2Bsky%2Bpicture.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Just then Jill appeared again. With live Beatles music
still playing she hugged me and said “I love you Renee.” She was telling my
friends about our special connection and the special gift she had given me that
has come to represent Ming’s Love and him wanting me to “keep good” as he would
always say, as I carry on. </span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Jill was having so much fun that she wouldn’t leave
even though all her friends were in the car waiting for her and one standing in
the lobby with her hands on her waist as Jill just got more and more into the
rapture. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVojAQEF9S0/XReLvK1OIDI/AAAAAAAADbs/Hhu5hZ4FhmkKJHOy_iX44M4jgEkFyXWiwCLcBGAs/s1600/lucy_in_the_sky_with_diamonds_by_motorhead15-d7frlon-768x590.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="590" data-original-width="768" height="245" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vVojAQEF9S0/XReLvK1OIDI/AAAAAAAADbs/Hhu5hZ4FhmkKJHOy_iX44M4jgEkFyXWiwCLcBGAs/s320/lucy_in_the_sky_with_diamonds_by_motorhead15-d7frlon-768x590.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds…We just kept singing and
dancing. I was doing moves from my days back as a Boston Conservatory dancer. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when the refrain came, Lucy in the Sky
with Diamonds …Jill said, “That’s you Renee, You sparkle.” I did feel all sparkly
inside but it was the music that shined brightest along with the power of friendship
and love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thanks Joh</span><span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">n, Paul, Ringo and George! Thank you to Richard Curtis
for writing the script (he wrote <i>Love Actually</i> too). And, thank you to my dear
friends TLC who treated me to such a night. You’re right; music does follow us
wherever we go….</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;">Here Comes the Sun….I’m Happy just to Dance with You….Strawberry
Fields Forever in a Yellow Submarine…I’ve got a feeling…..</span><span style="background: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 16.0pt;">Ev'rybody had a good time</span>, (even Ming) Oh Yeah…..<span style="font-size: 16.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E41l364whQo/XReNo317NZI/AAAAAAAADcA/KDHWSVwchKgcF_2tV1dViELU8PbjqLhnwCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-E41l364whQo/XReNo317NZI/AAAAAAAADcA/KDHWSVwchKgcF_2tV1dViELU8PbjqLhnwCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_0044.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-52723010230696497532019-06-17T21:21:00.000-07:002019-06-17T21:21:52.460-07:00REASONS TO SMILE AGAIN...<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5z6gW12iK0/XQhX5WJPirI/AAAAAAAADaE/arQdWjz_w8UY-zYb0zZhEvMdgrk6bjwXQCLcBGAs/s1600/20190601_204208%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1147" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I5z6gW12iK0/XQhX5WJPirI/AAAAAAAADaE/arQdWjz_w8UY-zYb0zZhEvMdgrk6bjwXQCLcBGAs/s400/20190601_204208%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="286" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Pearls and a Head Piece at a Friend's Recent Party </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dear
Ageless with Aunty Readers and Followers….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
feel like I am learning to smile again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">As
most of you know I lost my darling Ming last June to a sudden </span>cardiac<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> arrest and
it’s been a very tough grieving year. It's been six months since I posted!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">There
were times that I simply felt low, lost, and alone. I just wasn’t myself. It
was an effort to even shower and maybe with one exception, I don’t
think I wore a dress or make up until just recently (as seen above). But, God knows I had
good reason to be sad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Only
now, with the help of friends and family, and time, am I even starting to smile
again. and Ming is truly with me I just know it. And, he often told me what he
loved most about me was my childlike joy. This is just another reason to get
back up, keep smiling and carrying on! He is watching his “Sweetie!” His supersonic
high spirited and soaring love from above lifts me higher and higher….</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_Fc96-DgYo/XQhYhh0VbwI/AAAAAAAADac/CGotrqtn47QPi9ZBZ3DrIpUR12tdBnYogCEwYBhgL/s1600/CJ%2527s%2Bcelebration%2Bjune%2B2019.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="685" data-original-width="1024" height="214" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-z_Fc96-DgYo/XQhYhh0VbwI/AAAAAAAADac/CGotrqtn47QPi9ZBZ3DrIpUR12tdBnYogCEwYBhgL/s320/CJ%2527s%2Bcelebration%2Bjune%2B2019.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; text-align: center;">Here
are just a few recent examples of how friends and family have helped…..</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I am feeling the L-O-V-E</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">They Dressed Up Just for Me!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">with my God Son at a Big Family Celebration</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">with my cousin the Pilot </span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Extraordinaire whom </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">we were "celebrating!" He still calls me "Nee Nee!"</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">For long time readers, the two young men (above) are Aunty's Great Grandsons</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RstuMrxkZNo/XQhZL5vXwKI/AAAAAAAADag/dkSTchYw-KUf5VhdgCHjQ5xmeiGs238HgCLcBGAs/s1600/9587.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="945" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RstuMrxkZNo/XQhZL5vXwKI/AAAAAAAADag/dkSTchYw-KUf5VhdgCHjQ5xmeiGs238HgCLcBGAs/s320/9587.jpeg" width="189" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Praying with My Beloved Mama and Great Nephew in Church</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">He Calls me "Aunty Nay!"</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Proud Sisters Celebrating Ryder's Baptismal</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">We Follow Him Wherever He Goes</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoZLoBeYWcM/XQhZRBZmkOI/AAAAAAAADa0/mugwVo-YNcg4A8OgdR9j_vmA-JgCAcRYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/9706.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WoZLoBeYWcM/XQhZRBZmkOI/AAAAAAAADa0/mugwVo-YNcg4A8OgdR9j_vmA-JgCAcRYQCEwYBhgL/s320/9706.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">A Sacred Moment of Sacrament for my Great Nephew</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">The Holy Spirit (My BFF) Makes Me Happy </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Check out the song Full Force Gale by Van Morrison. The Soundtrack for this post.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And
there will be more to come. I am blessed beyond measure...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Also,
I wanted to let my loyal blog readers know that I am also on Facebook as Renee Gold!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
say hi there as well. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/renee.gold.18">https://www.facebook.com/renee.gold.18</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-1347367907567026162019-01-03T18:58:00.000-08:002019-01-03T18:58:04.200-08:00COMFORT AND JOY.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrxmE54QUxA/XC5PwQuvxmI/AAAAAAAADVo/9PcR_15TdK8BYF1H7lM3TTsUv9O5uOfwACLcBGAs/s1600/20181222_225039_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vrxmE54QUxA/XC5PwQuvxmI/AAAAAAAADVo/9PcR_15TdK8BYF1H7lM3TTsUv9O5uOfwACLcBGAs/s400/20181222_225039_resized.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The Glow of my cousin's tree</div>
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really lifted my spirits..not to mention<br />
she had a <i>White Christmas</i> Party just<br />
for me (including making Aunty's/her grandmother's<br />
homemade cookies!)</div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">How do you have one Holly and pretty Jolly Christmas even though you
are heartbroken due to the loss of your cherished </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">fiancee</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;">? The answer is in
these pictures above and below</span></span><span style="color: #1f497d; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">; </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Friends
and Family!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fztr-czdF5U/XC5QIikbOII/AAAAAAAADVw/rrgzkyJVzM0pjNq5rSORt6BPAbsu0TsrACLcBGAs/s1600/20181225_145314_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fztr-czdF5U/XC5QIikbOII/AAAAAAAADVw/rrgzkyJVzM0pjNq5rSORt6BPAbsu0TsrACLcBGAs/s320/20181225_145314_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">Our Family Christmas</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p> dinner table was perfect</o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
was utterly devastated with the loss of my long time beau, Ming! He loved me so
much. (I was so touched that he read and commented on this blog faithfully.) We had a lifetime of love in the last close to a decade. When he
passed in June (suddenly) I didn’t think I would pull though the pain and the
loss. But, miraculously by staying connected to him (a story for another time)
and with the love and support of friends and family I am making it through. I know his love will never die!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJH1xaNpcXQ/XC5Rdj1ncnI/AAAAAAAADWA/JAfBvTnxKU4Vdew7rlDXWb0CwdknsCvAACLcBGAs/s1600/20181207_183814_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BJH1xaNpcXQ/XC5Rdj1ncnI/AAAAAAAADWA/JAfBvTnxKU4Vdew7rlDXWb0CwdknsCvAACLcBGAs/s320/20181207_183814_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;">I really dug Aunty's Great-granddaughter's Tree</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">When
Christmas came around I didn’t think I would celebrate this year. But, due to
some inner strength, an amazing connection to God, and the pure kindness of friends,
this Holiday season turned out to be pretty wonderful. It is all about LOVE
anyway. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vY2EBSV4ow/XC5S3v53ywI/AAAAAAAADWU/bJx2RZQ62nI5tMFuGOu0UJU1a4V1ycBRQCLcBGAs/s1600/20181215_215530_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_vY2EBSV4ow/XC5S3v53ywI/AAAAAAAADWU/bJx2RZQ62nI5tMFuGOu0UJU1a4V1ycBRQCLcBGAs/s320/20181215_215530_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A dear friend put one of Ming's treasured Dolphins </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">under her little tree (left)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">In
between the tears and the loneliness of not having Ming physically here, I was
somehow uplifted, as if carried by angels, and able to enjoy
the Season (as best I could). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LH0n3CllJU/XC67nrEWPEI/AAAAAAAADXY/uJAeHV9EUQk6Sm8hGsLaITVMXJA2y93TQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2018%2Bwith%2BAvery%2BGrace%2Bon%2BChristmas%2BDay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9LH0n3CllJU/XC67nrEWPEI/AAAAAAAADXY/uJAeHV9EUQk6Sm8hGsLaITVMXJA2y93TQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas%2B2018%2Bwith%2BAvery%2BGrace%2Bon%2BChristmas%2BDay.jpg" width="180" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">Holding an actual cherub (aka my grand niece Avery Grace)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">helped a lot too</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Everyone knows I ADORE CHRISTMAS….And I hope this can uplift those
who have lost a loved one. We <i>can carry on</i> (even during the holidays) while
carrying them in our hearts.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jNKYvhS4Xg/XC5R_FX-s5I/AAAAAAAADWI/3CBneytG3YsaaM4lSlk8HEzOqEd2VMxnQCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas-%2B%2B12-10-%2B045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3jNKYvhS4Xg/XC5R_FX-s5I/AAAAAAAADWI/3CBneytG3YsaaM4lSlk8HEzOqEd2VMxnQCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas-%2B%2B12-10-%2B045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">with Ming Christmas Eve 2010 </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">This year was truly bitter sweet given such a profound loss, but when it comes to celebrating the Holidays this is how it usually goes... <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: x-small;">An annual tea at my friend Carroll's</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">I
start the day after Thanksgiving ordering my Santa Claus tea and sublime Ho Ho Joe coffee. I dig
out my red and green Jewelry, line up my Christmas DVD’s, pull out my Christmas
Journals, start mulling over Eggnog & festive Cocktail recipes, then stare and share at pictures of Christmas’s past. I Start thinking about making cards
and ornaments while fluffing out my reindeer sweater</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">and puffy hat and boots. </span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWvJcLQbm2w/XC7AX_aBFDI/AAAAAAAADXw/ai1g6eOKWiQI6cf84OOKvSHia4AiAkYWgCLcBGAs/s1600/christmas%2Bcocktails%2Bagain%2Bnyc%2Bmircale%2Bon%2B9th.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="653" data-original-width="980" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uWvJcLQbm2w/XC7AX_aBFDI/AAAAAAAADXw/ai1g6eOKWiQI6cf84OOKvSHia4AiAkYWgCLcBGAs/s320/christmas%2Bcocktails%2Bagain%2Bnyc%2Bmircale%2Bon%2B9th.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I could go on. If someone ever wants to make a documentary of just how much one human can be so immersed in the season, you might want to give me a call. Ming for one truly appreciated my Major Christmas Spirit! He had it too!</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUuBF7fdhas/XC7CqSGTa1I/AAAAAAAADX8/KeEilcgP8c0oSx1lvG8hJ4cfkvHl7PFZACLcBGAs/s1600/20161225_101417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aUuBF7fdhas/XC7CqSGTa1I/AAAAAAAADX8/KeEilcgP8c0oSx1lvG8hJ4cfkvHl7PFZACLcBGAs/s320/20161225_101417.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Our "Puffy Green" 2016</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10RREqY25yQ/XC5Vb8P9zLI/AAAAAAAADWg/fSFZRZ6AsH0Jxu4kY0QOSscJpFEigw8ngCLcBGAs/s1600/20181214_221757_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10RREqY25yQ/XC5Vb8P9zLI/AAAAAAAADWg/fSFZRZ6AsH0Jxu4kY0QOSscJpFEigw8ngCLcBGAs/s320/20181214_221757_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My Godson's Ugly Sweater Party 2018</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgvTgv7p8lE/XC7Er7g1eaI/AAAAAAAADYQ/B0CsPAI8O8cPqpc8aJxIbjTlYW7fxxlowCLcBGAs/s1600/20181202_165502_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wgvTgv7p8lE/XC7Er7g1eaI/AAAAAAAADYQ/B0CsPAI8O8cPqpc8aJxIbjTlYW7fxxlowCLcBGAs/s320/20181202_165502_resized.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My friend Lynne invited me to a Christmas Tree Festival, 2 dinners</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">and Holiday Extravaganza because she calls Christmas time</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Renee-A-Palooza</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">And, of course I understand fully what the season is all about and that is why so
much love and joy leaps from my heart. </span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTVO-E9zOfU/XC68lcivwPI/AAAAAAAADXk/V9u3Nt2m2sUXmLIN-t2qbSKwNGYJA4jmgCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas%2B2018%2Bwith%2BKaren%2Bon%2BHOly%2BNight%2Bat%2BShrine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="600" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vTVO-E9zOfU/XC68lcivwPI/AAAAAAAADXk/V9u3Nt2m2sUXmLIN-t2qbSKwNGYJA4jmgCLcBGAs/s200/Christmas%2B2018%2Bwith%2BKaren%2Bon%2BHOly%2BNight%2Bat%2BShrine.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">My friend Karen brought me to a </span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">twinkling Holy Christmas shrine </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">this year</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46ga8K_qbhQ/XC7EDpo2rwI/AAAAAAAADYI/WIPZh6r8G1cxs40Z86bIVxsmOxevqp8-QCLcBGAs/s1600/20181229_184904_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-46ga8K_qbhQ/XC7EDpo2rwI/AAAAAAAADYI/WIPZh6r8G1cxs40Z86bIVxsmOxevqp8-QCLcBGAs/s200/20181229_184904_resized.jpg" width="112" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: x-small;">After making me </span><span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">homemade cookies, pasta,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">and peppermint bark</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPEQS7hRUw8/XC7K3fxZmYI/AAAAAAAADYk/B1OOaaB-4GoCI4l72YxAt_3Zoghz7h6xwCLcBGAs/s1600/me%2Band%2Baunty%2Bthanksgiving%2B2010%2B016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QPEQS7hRUw8/XC7K3fxZmYI/AAAAAAAADYk/B1OOaaB-4GoCI4l72YxAt_3Zoghz7h6xwCLcBGAs/s200/me%2Band%2Baunty%2Bthanksgiving%2B2010%2B016.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 14pt;">My mom likes to say “
Most people feel at Christmas time how you feel all of the time….full of
Magical Wonder…”</span><br />
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</div>
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7pswpzuRXg/XC5XDY-Kv0I/AAAAAAAADWs/7uE_yIZWraEnoZ_Dfo7FyMwjCSlkmQrTwCLcBGAs/s1600/Stroll%2B2009%2B008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J7pswpzuRXg/XC5XDY-Kv0I/AAAAAAAADWs/7uE_yIZWraEnoZ_Dfo7FyMwjCSlkmQrTwCLcBGAs/s320/Stroll%2B2009%2B008.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">And,
I dedicate this post to my late adoring Ming man, who told me early on, “I love Christmas trees, mangers, and more!” Now he is with me forever more at
Christmas time and all the time.</span><br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PtaqOkNWEI/XC61RKMyxcI/AAAAAAAADW4/ch98JMt_lPoE31yeVVb_STHpcDr54NQUwCLcBGAs/s1600/Christmas-%2B%2B12-10-%2B024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PtaqOkNWEI/XC61RKMyxcI/AAAAAAAADW4/ch98JMt_lPoE31yeVVb_STHpcDr54NQUwCLcBGAs/s320/Christmas-%2B%2B12-10-%2B024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">"Mingman and Sweetie"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times new roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Here is a picture of my tree this year which was lovingly put up in
his honor. We would always call our tree “ Puffy Green,” but this year I simply
called it the Ming Tree….</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WL8rxTh2dq4/XC5Q8gl_hEI/AAAAAAAADV4/Mzo-tk34ikIC4sDzcIUficb-He24DJXqACLcBGAs/s1600/20181224_081950_resized.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WL8rxTh2dq4/XC5Q8gl_hEI/AAAAAAAADV4/Mzo-tk34ikIC4sDzcIUficb-He24DJXqACLcBGAs/s320/20181224_081950_resized.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Eternally Ming....<br />
I love you forever....<br />
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</div>
<br /></div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-55732076345449833862018-11-22T09:18:00.000-08:002018-11-22T09:18:16.202-08:00I AM GRATEFUL FOR A MAN NAMED MING....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2AvQ0xzVAE/W_bkTs0gUVI/AAAAAAAADVA/h8bjoGoARi4YYctMKdA_0wQuwyZy7qEygCLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S2AvQ0xzVAE/W_bkTs0gUVI/AAAAAAAADVA/h8bjoGoARi4YYctMKdA_0wQuwyZy7qEygCLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">On
this Thanksgiving Day 2018 I am grateful for close to a decade of unequivocal love
from a Man named Ming.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">My
late beloved was kind, generous, compassionate, brave, noble, virtuous and
wise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
gave me, and everyone he met, his full heart! I was cherished and adored. A
difficult part for me now is I didn’t fully realize his true greatness until he
was taken from me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
pray on this Thanksgiving Day….Long Live the Spirit of Ming…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
I pray with my full heart that anyone reading this (and please pass this on)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">If
there is someone who loves you completely, always let them know how much they
are appreciated and loved back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
promise you it’s not ever enough….so give your heart the best you can to those
who truly love you most.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The ones <i>who
love us most</i> are very often the ones we take for granted. Make sure you make
more time particularly for them.<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am truly and fully blessed for having had someone of this highest caliber of humanness
love me with his entire being with such depth of loyalty and admiration.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">He
enriched my life and now he comforts me from heaven…. today and always, always
and forever more….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">AMEN!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzJH9R2ctMQ/W_bjcC-8-QI/AAAAAAAADU0/QmQgrYze0dcTdJveLfI2BDEouZ-PXkUyACLcBGAs/s1600/IMG_1611.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PzJH9R2ctMQ/W_bjcC-8-QI/AAAAAAAADU0/QmQgrYze0dcTdJveLfI2BDEouZ-PXkUyACLcBGAs/s320/IMG_1611.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">Ming and Me with our friend Baby Nate</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-37365966529960398622018-05-20T07:26:00.001-07:002018-05-20T07:26:40.522-07:00I LOVE THE SOUND OF CHURCH BELLS AND TRUMPETS IN THE MORNING....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUdrszxRNaU/WwF-n3LC66I/AAAAAAAADTQ/8xd71_B-D6MZQGlCm3LFld_8GBrTCiXSQCLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Band%2Bharry%2Blook%2Bat%2Beach%2Bother.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1024" height="131" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUdrszxRNaU/WwF-n3LC66I/AAAAAAAADTQ/8xd71_B-D6MZQGlCm3LFld_8GBrTCiXSQCLcBGAs/s320/meghan%2Band%2Bharry%2Blook%2Bat%2Beach%2Bother.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPoFHbPWaYw/WwF-xd_HDzI/AAAAAAAADTY/QdYgGrMkDkAxDv0PwdWJO4D1PBKLcV0EQCLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Band%2Bharry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="186" data-original-width="270" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cPoFHbPWaYw/WwF-xd_HDzI/AAAAAAAADTY/QdYgGrMkDkAxDv0PwdWJO4D1PBKLcV0EQCLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Band%2Bharry.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s true….Nothing
on earth can get me up at five a.m., nothing but a Royal Wedding that is! I love
the sound of church bells and trumpets in the morning.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I made a pot of
tea, grabbed some tissue, and pulled my chair close to the telly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hit the power button and was awed!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Wow…the moment I
turned on the television I was carried away. The sun was shining brightly over
Windsor Castle in the English Countryside, and a young, kind, and very human
prince was beaming with love in his heart!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6X7saJzP1o/WwF-cpyvyyI/AAAAAAAADTU/CpmryUJI96U7GHu11aoW9Moy_1T9LFXEwCEwYBhgL/s1600/meghan%2Band%2Bharry%2Bharry%2Blooks%2Bat%2Bher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="422" data-original-width="1024" height="131" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-I6X7saJzP1o/WwF-cpyvyyI/AAAAAAAADTU/CpmryUJI96U7GHu11aoW9Moy_1T9LFXEwCEwYBhgL/s320/meghan%2Band%2Bharry%2Bharry%2Blooks%2Bat%2Bher.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">You could
actually feel the love between Meghan and Harry. I mean it was truly magical
and wonderful and utterly swoon worthy.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How many things
can actually make you swoon….. I kept placing my hands over my heart and
reaching for the tissue at every moment. I was so moved, I felt like I was
actually there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Amidst the
sparkle of her tiara, the forget-me-nots in her hand (that Harry picked himself
from Princess Diana’s garden), the grandeur of Windsor, the bliss in a mother’s
heart, the wonder of the children, the beauty of Meghan, the Spirit of Diana, and
the twinkle in Harry and Meghan’s eyes, I was instantly transported across the
pond and into the majestic, historic, and utterly romantic event taking place right
before my eyes. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07byk-JVlhM/WwF--DvShSI/AAAAAAAADTc/hg2JSuJacg4draPNsessL10C9kA5UXitACLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Bin%2Bcar%2Bwith%2Bharry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-07byk-JVlhM/WwF--DvShSI/AAAAAAAADTc/hg2JSuJacg4draPNsessL10C9kA5UXitACLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Bin%2Bcar%2Bwith%2Bharry.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">How can we not
be moved?!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And, like the Bishop
said: “Two young people fell in love and we all showed up!”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a day for
all of us to unify and celebrate collectively something that in today’s ultra-fast
paced and often troubled world is not highlighted enough…. L-O-V-E!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And WHAT THE
WORLD NEEDS NOW IS LOVE SWEET LOVE! And, for those of us who watched, we got
mega doses of pure enchantment, and magical love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was grand. It
was spectacular. It was rich in history, pageantry, tradition (old and
now new). It was everything good, everything perfect; It felt like a dream.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uv16LHqe03A/WwF_qIU32xI/AAAAAAAADT0/9huIRkLICEMtog8MrVqflN9_SWjCSIYjwCLcBGAs/s1600/xxRoyal-Wedding-Arrive-slide-9KZM-superJumbo%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1038" data-original-width="1600" height="207" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uv16LHqe03A/WwF_qIU32xI/AAAAAAAADT0/9huIRkLICEMtog8MrVqflN9_SWjCSIYjwCLcBGAs/s320/xxRoyal-Wedding-Arrive-slide-9KZM-superJumbo%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Harry and Meghan
shared their love and carried us with them all the way. And for anyone who
didn’t care to watch or might put down all the pomp well….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">In this day and
age with the bombardment of bad news can’t we just bask in the glory of LOVE
for a few hours without anyone saying anything negative?! Given everything
going on all over the world, when something positive and beautiful happens like
this, can’t we just run with it. For those too quick to criticize can’t we just
take a break and simply enjoy something so splendid. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLrMAB2d1PQ/WwF_D6kBltI/AAAAAAAADTk/gjmuHr91Ih8kVKlAPyDd9AYCm0et1d8IQCLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Baislle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yLrMAB2d1PQ/WwF_D6kBltI/AAAAAAAADTk/gjmuHr91Ih8kVKlAPyDd9AYCm0et1d8IQCLcBGAs/s1600/meghan%2Bdown%2Bthe%2Baislle.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Of course, not everyone
will be as smitten as I am, but, I ask my readers to take a deep breath, pause,
and enjoy moments of happiness and pure joy whenever we can get or create them.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Don’t you think that
part of the reason the world is so stressed and agitated is people are just too
quick to put others down and be so negative. So many of us just go
through the motions. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, if you
allowed yourself just ten minutes to actually watch, listen and tune in to what
was happening at Windsor Castle yesterday it was something to feel happy about.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was uplifting
and sublime. If you allowed yourself you might be moved. Witnessing love breaks
down barriers. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGCeUR4b8sY/WwGBjxmHnsI/AAAAAAAADUA/Pkt5QXvfLtAl8yRc2e-gA1_ZyQcD5JUpQCLcBGAs/s1600/MEGHAN%2BSMILES%2BAND%2BWAVES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-GGCeUR4b8sY/WwGBjxmHnsI/AAAAAAAADUA/Pkt5QXvfLtAl8yRc2e-gA1_ZyQcD5JUpQCLcBGAs/s1600/MEGHAN%2BSMILES%2BAND%2BWAVES.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">When it was over
I wanted to keep watching! I couldn’t get enough. I wish I could have been
there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I am so inspired
by their love and their openness to share their Amazing Royal Wedding and
letting me as a viewer experience a real life </span>fairy-tale<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, I am making a special
gift for them. I cant say too much about it yet, but, in the coming months
those who follow </span></span><i style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Ageless </i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">will learn more about it. All I can say is by all accounts I have captured the Markle Sparkle!<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8W0k6XHCDE/WwF_L-zedGI/AAAAAAAADTo/FIu2k4R_N9cWarP9n1o-NsltqCY20knggCLcBGAs/s1600/Meghan-Markle-Royal-Wedding-Pictures.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="421" data-original-width="1024" height="131" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R8W0k6XHCDE/WwF_L-zedGI/AAAAAAAADTo/FIu2k4R_N9cWarP9n1o-NsltqCY20knggCLcBGAs/s320/Meghan-Markle-Royal-Wedding-Pictures.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">For now, watch
any footage you can of their Royal Wedding. Hold the hand of someone you love, pick
them some flowers, be romantic. Tune out the negative news and comments at
least for a while…and Give LOVE a chance. Don’t be so quick to say boo hoo to
Royalty. This is about LOVE pure and simple. Let’s all stand together in unity
for a few moments without any negative comment!!!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s worth
repeating…What the World NEEDS NOW IS LOVE, in any way, shape, or form!!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And, it’s worth noting that the young, connected
and committed royals are doing a great deal of important charity work.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhFce45eqOU/WwGCsMfefZI/AAAAAAAADUQ/W-6diXM3CWUtNNgmjQXZV8IHzVb_rwUOQCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="299" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zhFce45eqOU/WwGCsMfefZI/AAAAAAAADUQ/W-6diXM3CWUtNNgmjQXZV8IHzVb_rwUOQCLcBGAs/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Harry and Meghan….you
were magical beyond magical and let us all share in a fairytale….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I send you love, and pray
your marriage will be a lasting and happy one.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And judging by
William and Kate…we truly have a new Fab Four! I know you will do great things
and inspire us all to do the same. I know Princess Diana is supremely proud!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">LOVE NEVER DIES</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyoknFrKK6I/WwGBq38m_jI/AAAAAAAADUE/z70Kpjp69SMT-hN1fYkrKvTE6moL_tp5wCLcBGAs/s1600/THE%2BVEIL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="174" data-original-width="290" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vyoknFrKK6I/WwGBq38m_jI/AAAAAAAADUE/z70Kpjp69SMT-hN1fYkrKvTE6moL_tp5wCLcBGAs/s1600/THE%2BVEIL.jpg" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Sending kisses and
prayers….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">with love from
New England….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Renee Faith Gold</span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">PICTURES ARE FROM OTHER SOURCES BBC AND OTHERWISE</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-69586382743232974862018-05-08T08:50:00.001-07:002018-05-08T08:50:52.290-07:00BIRTHDAY CAKE L-O-V-E ...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAZNtXe8wT8/WvHDCcK1_aI/AAAAAAAADSU/AszI6FxxivgOLj0I2hZKYlxIKatSHda9QCLcBGAs/s1600/37384.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EAZNtXe8wT8/WvHDCcK1_aI/AAAAAAAADSU/AszI6FxxivgOLj0I2hZKYlxIKatSHda9QCLcBGAs/s320/37384.jpeg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Who knew that birthdays could get better with age….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">I am elated with the many loving surprises that I continue
to receive regarding my recent “Ageless” May 3 Birthday! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Cake is pretty much my favorite dessert and I got
FOUR (well, three and a half to be exact). As you can see in this post there
are four different cakes. My friend the Amazing Gracie made me a homemade
vanilla raspberry one with lots of whipped cream and it was divine!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My cousin made me a red-velvet with cream
cheese that tasted absolutely spectacular (that was before she gave me a
sparkling box filled with gifts)!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
dear friend Lynne had a special cake ordered from a local bakery that was simply
beautiful and truly delicious. And when my sisters and mom took me out to dinner,
they had a wild and crazy mini chocolate bomb cake delivered to the table that
we all devoured in less than two minutes. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGIzYCxzEVE/WvHDlTKzacI/AAAAAAAADSc/zpTheNe9RMomP7mW56LKuEXeDPUiORIDQCLcBGAs/s1600/20180503_183832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yGIzYCxzEVE/WvHDlTKzacI/AAAAAAAADSc/zpTheNe9RMomP7mW56LKuEXeDPUiORIDQCLcBGAs/s320/20180503_183832.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And not only were the cakes so special, but, so were
the presentations. When Gracie presented hers she had a little wind up
device/music box that played Happy Birthday. And when my sisters, mom, and
Lynne gave me theirs it was with my favorite cake accouterments, no, not
ice-cream, BALLOONS! I LOVE those pretty puffy& colorful things! It was so
sweet to have the cake <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">and</i> balloons.
It brought me back to my youth and I felt very young! Having my own birthday balloons
made me giddy and I appreciate people taking the time to get them for me….who doesn’t
love presents?! And my mother always buys me a crown, a tiara, or something
child-like for my birthday. She tells me I am her <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Peter Pan!</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNiZwFa9LEQ/WvHD9WrQX1I/AAAAAAAADSk/IWCRdsp8x-kAKgYw8t4LqiFBH1Mcaw3OgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180506_223437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1250" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RNiZwFa9LEQ/WvHD9WrQX1I/AAAAAAAADSk/IWCRdsp8x-kAKgYw8t4LqiFBH1Mcaw3OgCLcBGAs/s320/20180506_223437.jpg" width="249" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Friends texted all day, some called with magical
messages, and one sent a video of her son (also my friend who just got accepted
to St Andrews College) playing a violin to the song of Happy Birthday with the magical
product I just developed glowing the background!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It truly was precious. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was so touched. Later that evening my boyfriend
brought me some home-cooked food, the BEST CARD EVER and a beautiful crystal necklace
in the shape of a heart and the color of the sky. He told me I am about to
reach the sky with my dreams!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja3RuahilbM/WvHEdLM2GpI/AAAAAAAADSw/s7_nfsztc30vfzvrv-jgUW2TOIRwVMQXACLcBGAs/s1600/20180506_220934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ja3RuahilbM/WvHEdLM2GpI/AAAAAAAADSw/s7_nfsztc30vfzvrv-jgUW2TOIRwVMQXACLcBGAs/s320/20180506_220934.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And, that earlier that night, right before I sat
down to dinner with my sisters another super tremendous friend sent a very special
message for me saying “Thank you for being born!” It just kept getting
better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even my friend, the writer
Roland Merullo, sent a birthday wish. And, I was so happy and excited that here
I was with cakes, gifts, toasts, flowers, serenades, gifts left at my door, and
it wasn’t like I was sweet six-teen or a five year old….as a full-fledged adult
it felt pretty darn good to have such a special day with so many genuinely wonderful
surprises and heartfelt affection all around me. When you give LOVE, you get it
back!!! And LOVE is Ageless....<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">There is even more to come (that is why you might
notice one of my cakes says Renee-A-Palooza)…I have been promised a trip to the
MFA, another dinner out, and a home cooked meal by more loving and devoted friends!
I believe Oprah is right when she says the more grateful you are the more you
have to be grateful for. And,
speaking of grateful, well, I just realized that I actually had another birthday
cake (that’s 4.5)! My cousin Greg and his wife gave me a cake and sang happy
birthday to me two weeks before my birthday (don’t you just love cousins)?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYzTEeOaAZQ/WvHEyiVjCwI/AAAAAAAADS4/4qPXmeX-eJ4mJlYlfviy7dwytRqYqsoTwCLcBGAs/s1600/20180504_125243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lYzTEeOaAZQ/WvHEyiVjCwI/AAAAAAAADS4/4qPXmeX-eJ4mJlYlfviy7dwytRqYqsoTwCLcBGAs/s320/20180504_125243.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">This past Sunday I capped the four day celebrations off
with a fabulous pizza & wine party in my honor at Aunty’s great-granddaughter’s
hip and trendy new home…Thankfully she has high ceilings and mega big windows because
all that love and magic around me had to go somewhere….</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-62043115478123029992018-05-05T05:31:00.000-07:002018-05-05T05:31:17.163-07:00I BEG YOU...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Byo-wD7rKc/Wu2jU4_bm1I/AAAAAAAADR4/rdZ1McuOh_YHiEdGIUlB0rywhLGQC-ALQCLcBGAs/s1600/ocean%2Bdirty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7Byo-wD7rKc/Wu2jU4_bm1I/AAAAAAAADR4/rdZ1McuOh_YHiEdGIUlB0rywhLGQC-ALQCLcBGAs/s320/ocean%2Bdirty.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The average straw is sipped for only 20 minutes but it can
take over 200 years to break<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
down. Straws are very lightweight and often wind up in our
oceans and on our beaches where they are<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
a danger to marine life. Plastics never biodegrade -- they
just break into smaller and smaller pieces.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation predicts that by 2050 there
will be more pounds of plastic than fish in<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
the ocean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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If Straws are doing this can you IMAGINE what all the rest
of your plastic trash is doing?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please, I am begging all my readers at Ageless to see the
film Plastic Ocean.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I sobbed during the whole film (but as decent human beings
we MUST FACE THIS TOGETHER)…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<em><b><span style="background: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">Plastics</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> are now one
of the most common pollutants of </span></span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">ocean</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> waters worldwide. Pushed by winds, tides and currents, </span></span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">plastic</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> particles
form with other debris into large swirling glutinous accumulation zones, known
to oceanographers as gyres, which comprise as much as 40 percent of the planet's</span>
</span><em><b><span style="background: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">ocean</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> ...</span></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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When you pile up your trash and throw it away it HAS TO GO
SOMEWHERE.<o:p></o:p></div>
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we DO NO HAVE A PLANET B AND ITS HIGH TIME WE ALL TAKE
RESPONSIBILITY.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have not ever posted anything like this. Here at Ageless
we are fun and upbeat.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, as a caring person living and breathing on this earth I
am completely compelled after all I have seen<o:p></o:p></div>
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and come to realize just how important it is that we all
take responsibility and do our part and create less waste. <o:p></o:p></div>
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There is nothing fun and upbeat about polluted oceans and a
toxic trash filled environment.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WE did this. WE can undo it!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-787rRIKv3qg/Wu2jh2WvFfI/AAAAAAAADR8/fY5fSIxDnyIyMRb3lKGjFxEsg5hvGMetwCLcBGAs/s1600/trash%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-787rRIKv3qg/Wu2jh2WvFfI/AAAAAAAADR8/fY5fSIxDnyIyMRb3lKGjFxEsg5hvGMetwCLcBGAs/s1600/trash%2B2.jpg" /></a></div>
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If any of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>you have
children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews YOU MUST SEE THESE FILMS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/11-environmental-documentaries/">https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/11-environmental-documentaries/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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I PROMISE YOU BEYOND ANY DOUBT THEY WILL CAREFULLY AND FULLY
SHOW YOU WHY IT’S SO IMORTANT TO HAVE LESS AND LESS WASTE<o:p></o:p></div>
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AND TO DO OUR PART TO RECYLCE and to PROTECT AND RESPECT OUR
PLANET!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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THANK YOU SO MUCH. AND MOTHER EARTH THANKS YOU TOO.<o:p></o:p></div>
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SIMPLE WAYS YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW…<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01obhoofFAM/Wu2jrA4tMuI/AAAAAAAADSE/wLLA5a6rbpA5DGDN8TVMgzDT_O9FlukKwCLcBGAs/s1600/trash.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-01obhoofFAM/Wu2jrA4tMuI/AAAAAAAADSE/wLLA5a6rbpA5DGDN8TVMgzDT_O9FlukKwCLcBGAs/s1600/trash.jpg" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; margin-bottom: 3.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USE LESS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">BUY IN BULK<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pay attention to how
you use water!!!! (for example turn off the water while you brush your teeth)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">USE EARTH FRIENDLY CLEANING
PRODUCTS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leave your car at
home. ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Walk or ride your bike
to work, school and anywhere you can. ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Recycle. You can help
reduce pollution just by putting that soda can in a different bin. ...<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Arial;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Compost!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And just imagine for one simple moment if YOU
did that every day…and then your neighbor did that….<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and your family and friends, and so on and so
on……IT MAKES A DIFFERENCE. IT IS THE DIFFERENCE.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">SO PLEASE SEE THE FILMS SUGGESTED.
P-L-E-A-S-E!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE LITTLE FISH IN THE DEEP BLUE SEA THANK
YOU.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE BIRDS IN THE SKY THANK YOU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">THE TREES AND THE FLOWERS AND THE BEES THANK
YOU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">AND FUTURE GENERATIONS THANK YOU<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">YOUR CHILDREN’S CHILDREN WILL REAP THE RESULTS
OF ALL OUR CONSIDERATE EFFORTS.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/11-environmental-documentaries/">https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/11-environmental-documentaries/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Remember, there ARE </span><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">endless
reuse solutions for our </span><em style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span style="background: white; color: #6a6a6a; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-style: normal;">waste</span></b></em><span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; orphans: 2; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> problem that are sustainable, easy, and fun.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">You can
start with the Book Zero Waste Home (it’s excellent)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">or any
of the films mentioned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #545454; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">THANK
YOU AGELESS READERS!</span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-47217400935370459542018-04-05T20:19:00.001-07:002018-04-05T20:19:49.978-07:00DON'T EVER GIVE UP!!!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXygRYRcs7I/WsbiY7aGMCI/AAAAAAAADRM/oVtoxaMJ30IQ2GnUX-31VUSN0nnVea24QCLcBGAs/s1600/20180225_125540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YXygRYRcs7I/WsbiY7aGMCI/AAAAAAAADRM/oVtoxaMJ30IQ2GnUX-31VUSN0nnVea24QCLcBGAs/s400/20180225_125540.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
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<o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">at Harvard Business School</span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null" name="_MailOriginal"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you to all those who have been
asking me to keep up with the blog. I can assure you when I am not blogging I
am working very hard to make the world more magical and to make my dreams come
true.<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;"> </span>Some call me the
poster girl for perseverance. I simply don’t give up! And, I wont! But like
most of you can relate<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;"> </span>to,
there just isn’t enough time in the day to do everything.<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;"> </span>I love blogging<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">, </span>and if you look back, I am
told there have been some great posts over the years (PLEASE SCROLL AROUND).
And, now that I am truly an entrepreneur, any free time goes out the window.
Free time just doesn’t exist. And writing this blog was always done in my free
time. Technically speaking I don’t even have the time for my own blog, but,
somehow, I will keep making the time. You are worth it. And, so is the
Spirit of Aunty<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">, </span>my eternal
guardian angel<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">,</span> and
this blog’s inspiration..….</span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5H8wFxASfps/Wsbj_RP2sPI/AAAAAAAADRY/-_y1HUHektEPNGtOXNdvSvPwImVjelKSACLcBGAs/s1600/AUNTY%2BAS%2BAN%2BANGEL%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="547" data-original-width="338" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5H8wFxASfps/Wsbj_RP2sPI/AAAAAAAADRY/-_y1HUHektEPNGtOXNdvSvPwImVjelKSACLcBGAs/s320/AUNTY%2BAS%2BAN%2BANGEL%2521.jpg" width="197" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After getting a
loan and doing product development… I have finally created my product! Some of
you already know what it is and some don’t. It’s utterly sublime and unique and
everything wonderful.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I promise to
unveil it very soon. Here I am (top) at Harvard Business School (very
cool place I must add) for the 14<sup>th</sup> annual Retail and Luxury Goods
conference. I was there networking, learning, and making connections. It
was a superb event and I am as excited as ever to go forward with my own luxury
product.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And now I AM
HERE TO TELL YOU and MYSELF, DON’T EVER GIVE UP.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">We hear this all
the time and you just have to keep telling yourself that, and, keep believing.
Going after dreams is not easy at all. And neither is creating something from
nothing. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But, when you
have something you wholeheartedly believe in, and, the passion for it…well,
sweet dreams are made of this…. MY twenty plus years of sacrifice and paying my
dues is about to take off,<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;"> </span>and
I am so happy to have so many rooting for me. I feel like I am being supported over this
gigantic fence<span style="color: #1f497d; mso-themecolor: dark2;">; </span>one that
I have been trying to climb for more than two decades now. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">What will it be
like when I do make it?! When I get to the other side I will bring you along
with me. They say the greatest gift you can give anyone is your time…so, I WILL
take the time to write for YOU whenever I possibly can! There is sure to be
lots to blog about.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1KoQdjlOto/WsbmHsW5KRI/AAAAAAAADRo/CXSmA7su1-APm4bhl9hZ3BoOc4I0Z8R3ACLcBGAs/s1600/CWE.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P1KoQdjlOto/WsbmHsW5KRI/AAAAAAAADRo/CXSmA7su1-APm4bhl9hZ3BoOc4I0Z8R3ACLcBGAs/s320/CWE.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><o:p><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">at the Center for Women & Enterprise </span></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bookmark: _MailOriginal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Thank you again
for sticking with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Aunty</i> and me all
these years….<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<br />Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-74147705996042205462017-11-19T18:00:00.001-08:002017-11-19T18:00:29.996-08:00LOVE IS LETTING GO OF FEAR....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YQZx8GV2wA/WhI0hGGVnsI/AAAAAAAADQA/W9Z2IpB8TXcrHOzFNcdVEDp1w5iiMRfJwCLcBGAs/s1600/001_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1141" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8YQZx8GV2wA/WhI0hGGVnsI/AAAAAAAADQA/W9Z2IpB8TXcrHOzFNcdVEDp1w5iiMRfJwCLcBGAs/s320/001_1.JPG" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">ANGEL AUNTY</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18pt;">Six years ago yesterday I had the most
moving experience of my entire life. I helped an angel</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"> cross back over to heaven. It
was November 18, 2011 a bit before seven p.m. that my beloved late Aunty Helen
crossed over. I remember it vividly. I remember it always. There were times in
my life when I heard people say that someone they loved had experienced a
beautiful death. I really didn’t know what they meant. It sounded kind of scary.
But, what happened six years ago here in my home perfectly demonstrates what a
peaceful and harmonious, perfect death actually is. And, I can assure you there
is nothing to fear.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">This
blog was started and continues in the name of my late Aunty Helen. (Thus the
name <i>Ageless with Aunty)</i>. <b>She was the epitome of selfless humility.</b>
She was a person so highly evolved she loved and forgave everyone even those
who profoundly hurt her. She lived all her life caring for and giving to others
EVERY DAY. She exemplifies what it means to be a bodhisattva. She was always happy
and we had a wonderful life together (along with her husband my late Uncle D
another genuine good soul). She lived fully and wisely and generously until her
last breath. After a brief but extremely serious illness it was the evening of November 18<sup>th</sup>, a Friday around
quarter till seven, this is what transpired….</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QC24z6vNvkU/WhI1uwZHo-I/AAAAAAAADQM/iRPQbElJoPAGJqpaRTBvERQiCqcU6qIqACLcBGAs/s1600/027_27.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="218" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QC24z6vNvkU/WhI1uwZHo-I/AAAAAAAADQM/iRPQbElJoPAGJqpaRTBvERQiCqcU6qIqACLcBGAs/s320/027_27.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">There
was music playing softy; a mix of chanting, Christmas hymns, lullabies and arias.
The room was lit perfectly with purple (her favorite color) soy and cotton wick
candles. The lights of the Christmas
tree shimmered magically and twinkled like angels. I had put up the tree early
that year because I knew Aunty was preparing to pass. She was resting
comfortably at home and she had told me <i>I
am ready</i>. I was right by her side along with pictures of her family including
her late husband, her late daughter, her deceased parents, her parted siblings,
and her grandchildren and great grandchildren. When she started to move her
mouth to say I love you I knew it was time. I embraced her and told her that
she would soon be united with her husband, her daughter, her parents, her siblings
all of whom she loved so dearly. I am at a loss for words to describe just how
much she loved them; to the extreme degree you can love another. I kissed her,
held her, and told her how much I love her and that I would miss her and that I
would see her again. I said things that seemed to flow out of my mouth
perfectly, so comforting, so full of truth; I know they were coming directly
from the Holy Spirit. I was experiencing God, the angels, the Saints, my
ancestors, and the greatest divine love one can know. This is a force so
powerful, a feeling so strong, that I feel immense comfort when I think of it.
I always will. I myself was elevated closer to heaven in those intensely
magnified moments...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BraNAtN8t5k/WhI2NtqoPQI/AAAAAAAADQQ/tdXbBRTMWjgiHfkI_NR7DLQ5Jjw6C_-IwCLcBGAs/s1600/more%2Blove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="194" data-original-width="259" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BraNAtN8t5k/WhI2NtqoPQI/AAAAAAAADQQ/tdXbBRTMWjgiHfkI_NR7DLQ5Jjw6C_-IwCLcBGAs/s1600/more%2Blove.jpg" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Aunty
passed so peacefully, perfectly, and beautifully. Right before my eyes she
eased into eternity. There is no other way to say it. That is exactly what
happened. She passed exactly as she had lived, with beauty, grace, dignity and
strength. And as if she were a saint (and she certainly was to many)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
anointed her hands, feet, and forehead with lavender oil. I sat by her side and
prayed absorbing all the goodness and Love I was later told that she was transferring
to me. I received so much it will sustain me forever with an abundance to
share.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyqnhGrCCHo/WhI2qNPsfPI/AAAAAAAADQc/23nYpjKuKzMxBpIbeVbvLtgmSBTw6coLACLcBGAs/s1600/Angels%2Bfor%2BAunty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="514" height="218" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TyqnhGrCCHo/WhI2qNPsfPI/AAAAAAAADQc/23nYpjKuKzMxBpIbeVbvLtgmSBTw6coLACLcBGAs/s320/Angels%2Bfor%2BAunty.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman", serif;">This
exceptional and extraordinary woman is best part of who I am. I carry her with
me eternally, along with my late Uncle D. Every single night for six years now
I light a candle for Aunty and for him. And I get signs all the time that her
spirit is all around and we remain and forever will be connected. The love we
had was so strong that I honestly feel like she is still here. I know in many
ways she still is.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEhKgX7VAZM/WhI07wnIiDI/AAAAAAAADQE/xnTZCsNdh50n7s-2PiyNQlQp5mVfWm3wACLcBGAs/s1600/012_12.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1214" data-original-width="806" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wEhKgX7VAZM/WhI07wnIiDI/AAAAAAAADQE/xnTZCsNdh50n7s-2PiyNQlQp5mVfWm3wACLcBGAs/s320/012_12.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">A
little side note: Yesterday (the six year anniversary of her passing) I ended
up in the emergency room. I am fine now. It was just a scare and probably some
stress. But, I was in the exact same room (number 8 and her favorite number) that Aunty had been in when I had to take her to the ER once. When I realized it was
the same room, I knew I would be okay. And I am…. Thank you Aunty for
continually letting me know that you are looking out for me. Which reminds
me….she had one eye open when she passed. And I knew for sure that meant only
one thing…given our extraordinary unbreakable bond, SHE WOULD BE LOOKING OUT
FOR ME FOREVER. This is validated when I recall our little good-night ritual. Right
after I helped tuck her in I would hold her hand and she would look directly at
me. Right after I would say “I love you forever.” She would emphatically add “</span><b style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">forever and ever and ever</b><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">….” AMEN!</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-42119925300071011132017-08-06T14:36:00.000-07:002017-08-06T14:36:18.597-07:00LITTLE WONDERS, BIG BIG LOVE!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEEDSwTZUh8/WYeG0SK0o3I/AAAAAAAADPY/Uf1ETvV-w8Aufnuq8ZXlMb1eBC85n8FcgCLcBGAs/s1600/11216722_10204893003146149_6122780117013613037_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dEEDSwTZUh8/WYeG0SK0o3I/AAAAAAAADPY/Uf1ETvV-w8Aufnuq8ZXlMb1eBC85n8FcgCLcBGAs/s320/11216722_10204893003146149_6122780117013613037_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">A </span>fairy-tale<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> come to life...</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">We have all seen and heard the gushing, swooning, carrying
on, and picture bragging that parents and grandparents do; and rightly so. I
can only imagine what it would be like to be a proud parent or grandparent.
However, since I don’t have children and won’t ever have any grandchildren I can
only speak from my life experience AND I say, what about great Auntie’s?! </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Most of you know that this blog was inspired
by my own late great Aunty Helen whom I utterly adored (vast understatement)
and we were inseparable in life and in death.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, I know all about the LOVE of Aunties. My late Great Aunty gave me so
much selfless and undying love that now I have so much to give myself and others.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ck_RVtVItEA/WYeG7y78QEI/AAAAAAAADPc/_UAD12lTsXQhmHYUfJZDpqB7AHEaXCR7wCLcBGAs/s1600/11889544_10204722211675305_5756645176626012764_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ck_RVtVItEA/WYeG7y78QEI/AAAAAAAADPc/_UAD12lTsXQhmHYUfJZDpqB7AHEaXCR7wCLcBGAs/s320/11889544_10204722211675305_5756645176626012764_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have a great niece and nephew that I simply adore
and they are so beautiful they actually take my breath away. I really believe they
could be in movies if their parents wanted them to. But, I am here today to
just gush, and swoon, and show pictures just like any proud parent or grandparent
would. I am a proud great Aunty. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And, just
remember Great Auntie’s are just as loving and awestruck as grandparents.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">And in this case maybe even more since I don’t’
have any children of my own and I </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">love
these little buggers as much as I imagine I would love my own children if I had
any.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">They are just perfect little beings and full of
love, wonder, and joy. It’s so wonderful to spend time in their world. All they
know is love and happiness, Joy and Wonder. I can relate. I have long been told
I am a kid at heart. And even the product I am about to unveil to the world is
one for adults who are indeed kids at heart.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMqrYDga1xM/WYeGgkK8hbI/AAAAAAAADPU/7CCLB5WaYTsi0TP9f4HHHySaZC0sLBRCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/avery%2Band%2Bryder%2Bat%2Bcrhistmas%2B2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="154" data-original-width="180" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cMqrYDga1xM/WYeGgkK8hbI/AAAAAAAADPU/7CCLB5WaYTsi0TP9f4HHHySaZC0sLBRCgCEwYBhgL/s1600/avery%2Band%2Bryder%2Bat%2Bcrhistmas%2B2016.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">So, next time you hear someone say we are the proud
grandparents…think for a moment about the millions of us who don’t have children
but LOVE just as deeply and care just as much as the proud parents and grandparents.
WE are all put on this earth to care for one another and helping with the children
is like planting seeds that will prosper in abundance. There is no such thing
as too much love. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWJcYHVSmkc/WYeJ3vXTuTI/AAAAAAAADPw/xNHLrCmkyjovIVIMaSJKLFqxv-a_fu1DQCLcBGAs/s1600/avery%2Bwith%2Bfriend.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PWJcYHVSmkc/WYeJ3vXTuTI/AAAAAAAADPw/xNHLrCmkyjovIVIMaSJKLFqxv-a_fu1DQCLcBGAs/s320/avery%2Bwith%2Bfriend.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Avery Grace right</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And I have so much love to
give these two little darlings and all my family… (In part thanks to my own
great Aunty)! Giving and sharing the love in my heart is what I do best in this
world. </span>Remember<span style="font-size: 12pt;">, we are all good at something. </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Not to mention THE REASON FOR LIVING IS TO
LEARN HOW TO LOVE!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxWGUjffR-Q/WYeIXnrDaqI/AAAAAAAADPo/HXVZeDtJteIDRVdaTlLlQgEjd5qno7A7gCLcBGAs/s1600/miracles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="484" data-original-width="519" height="298" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cxWGUjffR-Q/WYeIXnrDaqI/AAAAAAAADPo/HXVZeDtJteIDRVdaTlLlQgEjd5qno7A7gCLcBGAs/s320/miracles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My great niece and nephew like all my nieces and nephews are adored to the max LIKE
ALL CHILDREN SHOULD BE. We are all Magical Miracles meant to love one another with all our hearts..... Keep opening your heart!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-83774584898750556592017-05-30T14:21:00.000-07:002017-05-30T14:21:23.850-07:00TAKE A CLOSER LOOK, THEY ARE THERE....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gja1w0jjnq4/WS3X3DD7ZFI/AAAAAAAADLo/QGmbeAJkqrU_lKpdyQbC7hAiFDdk0VgNACLcB/s1600/20160905_175622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gja1w0jjnq4/WS3X3DD7ZFI/AAAAAAAADLo/QGmbeAJkqrU_lKpdyQbC7hAiFDdk0VgNACLcB/s400/20160905_175622.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">with Aunty's great grandson and my godson far right and his fiancee left</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">How memorable
was your Memorial Day (kick off into summer) weekend….take a closer look. If
you are anything like me perhaps it was even better than you think.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Mine started
out quite startling and harsh and ended up full of blessings and joy. As I stood
there this morning waiting for my water to boil to splash over my Nantucket
Blend coffee I realized I had just had a superior weekend full of blessings. And
the reason it is such a big deal to me is I am the type of person who always has
ten million fantasies going on about everything. So, when I think of Memorial
Day weekend, I imagine being on Cape Cod, or partaking in a big family cook-out
with Jimmy Buffet music playing and all my relatives there. Of course it’s 80
degrees and sunny. Then I might feel bad if I don’t get to do something like
that. But let’s face it, not everyone gets to have idyllic and perfect vacations
with each holiday. And, when I think of everything I experienced this weekend, I
may not have been strolling about Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard with my entire
family (which has been a long-time summer dream of mine) but, I ended up feeling truly blessed.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojlyz4jGFw4/WS3gDQIgJbI/AAAAAAAADMg/uT_oTBILMzE-J_0dtGQP4mHkpmS_fqaawCLcB/s1600/IMG_4687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ojlyz4jGFw4/WS3gDQIgJbI/AAAAAAAADMg/uT_oTBILMzE-J_0dtGQP4mHkpmS_fqaawCLcB/s320/IMG_4687.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">My weekend
went something like this. First of all I might add it was cloudy and cold most
of the weekend here in New England. I spent Friday at Mass General Hospital
with my boyfriend who is dealing with an extremely serious and complicated heart
disease. The procedure he was having was rather surreal and given all the worry
and anxiety surrounding it I almost collapsed. Needless to say standing in the
hospital waiting room I couldn’t have been any further away from those Norman
Rockwell-ish holiday fantasies in my head, but, then the blessings started to
come. And this weekend they came in all shapes and sizes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SvBI5JbNTI/WS3ZRzz6nPI/AAAAAAAADL0/MbkkMeuMaYgNcbtw186ABXcbWAqWwUx1QCLcB/s1600/ANGELIC%2BWOMAN%2BA%2BCOURSE%2BIN%2BMIRACLES.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="167" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4SvBI5JbNTI/WS3ZRzz6nPI/AAAAAAAADL0/MbkkMeuMaYgNcbtw186ABXcbWAqWwUx1QCLcB/s320/ANGELIC%2BWOMAN%2BA%2BCOURSE%2BIN%2BMIRACLES.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">A dear friend who knew I would be at the hospital all day came
by to comfort me while I waited. We sipped Tulsi Tea and meditated at a secret Zen
room we discovered. Later that day my boyfriend
pulled through the tests and procedure okay. I went home to sleep. On Saturday still
a bit shaky, out of the blue, while I was working an old acquaintance came into
the shop and after only a brief chat she took off her angel necklace and gave
it to me. She had no idea what I have been dealing with. She simply said, her
name is Grace and she was meant for you! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhE091Bmfc/WS3ZbXNyJ7I/AAAAAAAADL4/FruRRCN_MioOOto42B-4b4SXOpS-fEEOQCLcB/s1600/%2521B2pymqwBmk%257E%2524%2528KGrHqMOKj8E%2529Wdbf%2521YIBMjT1HWM%252BQ%257E%257E_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="380" data-original-width="258" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QWhE091Bmfc/WS3ZbXNyJ7I/AAAAAAAADL4/FruRRCN_MioOOto42B-4b4SXOpS-fEEOQCLcB/s200/%2521B2pymqwBmk%257E%2524%2528KGrHqMOKj8E%2529Wdbf%2521YIBMjT1HWM%252BQ%257E%257E_1.jpg" width="135" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After work that day a kind and generous friend who I might add was a special friend of Aunty's too had just returned from Italy came to my home bearing gifts including a gorgeous Christmas ornament from
Venice and homemade tiramisu! She had taken cooking classes in Italy, scoured
all the local Italian markets when she returned, and it was the best tiramisu I
have had! Even my angel Grace was smiling. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later that night my boyfriend and I watched
one of the best documentaries we have seen: </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Muscle
Shoals</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. I highly recommend it. The music and the people in it were all
amazing and I was really feeling good.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
main person in the story Rick Hall is a major inspiration. I think there needs
to be a monument to him.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv98kaExYEc/WS3ZlcFFQnI/AAAAAAAADL8/JtXPU-t3YrI3EQPqC-2XRpkRbxL5h8y7gCLcB/s1600/muscle%2Bshoals%2Bthe%2Bshoals.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="1600" height="170" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Qv98kaExYEc/WS3ZlcFFQnI/AAAAAAAADL8/JtXPU-t3YrI3EQPqC-2XRpkRbxL5h8y7gCLcB/s400/muscle%2Bshoals%2Bthe%2Bshoals.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">the Shoals</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sunday morning my neighbor and friend put a copy of the New
York Times at my door. What a treat. A
while later as I sipped my Nantucket coffee I enjoyed an hour long phone conversation
with my mother. We laughed over funny stories and people from our past and
remembered with much affection some of our beloved and departed family members.
It was on that note that I went outside to gather some flowers and brought them
to place at Aunty and Uncle D’s grave. Something told me
they were so glad to see me and I felt connected and loved! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YacyH4ZXqxE/WS3aII_JXVI/AAAAAAAADME/ToYQaSg7RAocrNuvO7snyVOzVWTD2qbzACLcB/s1600/IMG_4852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YacyH4ZXqxE/WS3aII_JXVI/AAAAAAAADME/ToYQaSg7RAocrNuvO7snyVOzVWTD2qbzACLcB/s320/IMG_4852.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Then, having accepted an earlier invitation I drove over to
hear Auntys’ great grandson (a talented musician) play the drums at a local
tavern. I ended up spending the day with my cousins (Aunty’s granddaughter and her
kids, Aunty’s great grandchildren). There were hugs, and stories, music and burgers,
and future plans made. My godson (Aunty’s great grandson) asked me to stop by
and see his new nearby home for the second time. It was spectacular especially out
back where he just put up this Moroccan tent with lights overlooking his big
backyard. It may have been cold but my heart was thoroughly warmed by now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbk2ulPupMc/WS3hpvjWk_I/AAAAAAAADMs/8jVLOsCQjL4mM-EZ_9zD5RhMMFWT8D0LgCLcB/s1600/lanterns%2Bmoroccan%2Bmetal%2Bnecatar%2B.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="440" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lbk2ulPupMc/WS3hpvjWk_I/AAAAAAAADMs/8jVLOsCQjL4mM-EZ_9zD5RhMMFWT8D0LgCLcB/s320/lanterns%2Bmoroccan%2Bmetal%2Bnecatar%2B.jpeg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Monday, Memorial Day, I caught up on some work (many of you know
I have some magic up my sleeves having created a sublime new product and am on
the brink of unveiling something out of this world fantastic)! And speaking of amazing, another
delight this weekend a friend took me to lunch at Organic Café in Beverly, Mass.
This organic and raw restaurant is so good I wish I could eat there every day. I
could really feel every cell in my body smiling with each bite and thanking me.
We dined on fancy arame noodles dressed in creamy sesame ginger sauce, sprouted
buckwheat pizza, and washed it down with a mint matcha latte. And no kidding,
it truly was delicious.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xnp4aFUGBw/WS3aZRowniI/AAAAAAAADMM/Gx-5hok_QIgWJygeA3XjmMIv-ALmUSS0QCLcB/s1600/wale%2Brider.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="268" data-original-width="188" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0xnp4aFUGBw/WS3aZRowniI/AAAAAAAADMM/Gx-5hok_QIgWJygeA3XjmMIv-ALmUSS0QCLcB/s1600/wale%2Brider.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Later my boyfriend and I got invited to dinner by a dear friend
we both admire. She is the epitome of an artist in every aspect of her life and
cooks everything from scratch. There is never a crumb left. We took a </span>rain check<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (something to look forward to now). But just knowing that someone you look up to
this much cares enough to invite you to dinner and drop soup off at your door when you are going through tough
times is a precious gift and blessing. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">After dinner at home we poured coconut
oil over our organic popcorn and watched the film </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Whale Rider</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> (a film I had first seen at the Nantucket Film
Festival). That movie is utterly enchanting and so well done. I went to bed
with a big smile. And when I woke up today, Tuesday morning, after the long
holiday weekend, I realized that I was a lot closer to Nantucket and a perfect Memorial
Day Weekend then at first thought. If you look closely at any holiday weekend whether
you are vacationing or not, my guess is there are so many blessings right under
your nose. And a wonderful thing about blessings is, the more you recognize them
the more they come…..especially when you are </span>particularly<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> grateful!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Can you count how many blessings there are in my story? How
many were sent by Aunty?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">With love,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Renee, and that Angel on my shoulder, Aunty <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-77292131860154287312017-05-01T11:55:00.002-07:002017-05-01T11:55:58.812-07:00THE CONSCIOUS ENTREPRENEURS<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNJH4qUa_3U/WQdrsH9rvII/AAAAAAAADLM/jCR1oGqYZlACYXlM_SeKUKUphJVPxh7pQCLcB/s1600/20170404_194503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oNJH4qUa_3U/WQdrsH9rvII/AAAAAAAADLM/jCR1oGqYZlACYXlM_SeKUKUphJVPxh7pQCLcB/s320/20170404_194503.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura C. Cannon</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Meet my new BFF! This is author and business coach Laura Cannon. She wrote the book</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
the <i>Conscious Entrepreneur</i> because she is just that.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I recently was invited to hear her speak at the Harvard I-lab in Cambridge Mass.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The moment she walked into the room she absolutely exuded uplifting positive energy.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
At that time I didn't really know much about her but I learned pretty quickly (well it was Harvard). She is the real deal. She walks the talk and fully lives what she writes about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In my humble opinion her book and practice is about evolving and transforming into our better more aware selves. Awareness is key at all times. Self-awareness will help in business as entrepreneurs, but, all across the board in life!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
What made me float out of there was I instinctively related to everything she was saying. Turns out we are on the same wonderful path. That would explain why we instantly connected. It does work like that. Like attracts like. Open up your heart and mind and the pages of her book and see what you attract!</div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GahbwCBDjXk/WQdu6kwFXBI/AAAAAAAADLY/Fb4Y5SIHeNcLbUaRgxaTg0PMgMGYnkFtgCLcB/s1600/20170404_172756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GahbwCBDjXk/WQdu6kwFXBI/AAAAAAAADLY/Fb4Y5SIHeNcLbUaRgxaTg0PMgMGYnkFtgCLcB/s320/20170404_172756.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ageless at Harvard</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the readers of <i>Ageless</i> I urge you all to pick up her book. She truly is an extraordinary person who knows what she is talking about. She was invited to speak at Harvard for a reason. And, now the readers of Ageless have privy to the same inspiring info.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
www.lauraccannon.com</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Connecting with our intuition and growing and blooming as a human from there, is what it's all about.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her precious book helps me to see everything as a gift and an opportunity to grow and to step outside ourselves. There are no limitations... </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanks Laura. Thank you readers of Ageless...</div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6098486261038610809.post-77524502609757438662017-03-07T14:31:00.002-08:002017-03-07T14:31:50.294-08:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY AGELESS AUNTY....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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</div>
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</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10SVTeyKb3Q/WL80dsOkbwI/AAAAAAAADKQ/1ckNIezd1F0YXUO6hifgSMvmUM4gwkjdQCLcB/s1600/Aunty%2B87%252C%2BFlip%2Bher%2BWig%252C%2BMe%2Bat%2BMovies%2B037%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-10SVTeyKb3Q/WL80dsOkbwI/AAAAAAAADKQ/1ckNIezd1F0YXUO6hifgSMvmUM4gwkjdQCLcB/s320/Aunty%2B87%252C%2BFlip%2Bher%2BWig%252C%2BMe%2Bat%2BMovies%2B037%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="291" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Happy
Birthday to Aunty in Heaven……</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">Since you were born March 7th, 1924, you
are 93 today! Your spirit soars higher than ever. I feel your love like never
before. You are with me. Every evening before bed I light the Aunty Candle, and,
have every single night for five years now since you crossed over to the heavens! I see you in all the hearts that
form in my water drops, snowflakes, and even in my coffee grinds. You really want to tell
me how much you love and miss me too. I know. You remain the single greatest
blessing in my life! You and Uncle D send love to me from above and it helps to
keep me going when things are tough. And, when things are bright and sunny, I
feel your loving warmth always there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoeAcxi_Y3Q/WL8v8TxLNPI/AAAAAAAADJ8/dQe6JzD9HzsFPnudJ3HZkc_MdIA_ZGuPQCEw/s1600/IMG_5121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LoeAcxi_Y3Q/WL8v8TxLNPI/AAAAAAAADJ8/dQe6JzD9HzsFPnudJ3HZkc_MdIA_ZGuPQCEw/s320/IMG_5121.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;">AT
the end of every journal entry, each and every night I write, <i>I love you Aunty and Uncle D</i>! You are right here, beside me always, but, I just can’t touch you. Yet, our hearts touch all the time
and forever. For most of my life as far as I can remember everyone said “Renee
and Aunty, or Aunty and Renee!” We were best pals. Thank you again for giving
me your deepest love. I feel like the most loved person in the universe when I think
of what we share. You are my inspiration, you are my angel, you are my best friend
ever. I adore you and miss you, and pray that you are soaring though eternity
with grace and beauty and joy….just like you did while on earth. You are the epitome
of selfless humility.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRRNGnbH1Ow/WL8xsBQr4KI/AAAAAAAADKI/vQpciEZxv6U18UfvI-7kOQj3TGl7qqMBACLcB/s1600/Aunty%2BBlue%2BHat%2Band%2BMe%2B3-10%2B019.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QRRNGnbH1Ow/WL8xsBQr4KI/AAAAAAAADKI/vQpciEZxv6U18UfvI-7kOQj3TGl7qqMBACLcB/s320/Aunty%2BBlue%2BHat%2Band%2BMe%2B3-10%2B019.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 14.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">My dolly Aunty (with her trademark lipstick)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">I
am sure the angels you frolic with agree, you achieved the highest evolvement a
human being can. Your heart was pure. You gave nothing but love to me, the rest
of our family, and even to those you just met. In the words you always said to
me, “I love you forever and ever and ever”….. I am indeed eternally grateful. I
keep your beautiful pictures all around me. I hold your stuffed animals Suey, Sweetie,
and Betty Boop. I whisper loving things to you always…..and best of all, you always
give me some sign that you can hear me. And, even if you didn’t, I know you
can. Thank you Aunty…and Thank God for YOU. You are eternally cherished. And thanks to you, so am I!</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KontuLdrxs/WL8vWivD5JI/AAAAAAAADKA/X7kWoxeUocgt9dZXgcEhaIAVIzCPOxhPACEw/s1600/IMG_0337.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6KontuLdrxs/WL8vWivD5JI/AAAAAAAADKA/X7kWoxeUocgt9dZXgcEhaIAVIzCPOxhPACEw/s320/IMG_0337.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Aunty loved coffee so much, and I love her, </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">I see her in my coffee</span></div>
<br />
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<br /></div>
Renee Goldhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08292426847730182213noreply@blogger.com1